204 CIRL BUNTIXG. 



Heligoland, and is of rare occurrence in Holland and Belgium. In 

 summer it is found from France on the west to Bohemia on the 

 east ; while southward, it is resident from the Spanish Peninsula to 

 Greece, Southern Russia, Turkey, Asia Minor, and the islands of 

 the Mediterranean ; it is also found on the northern slopes of the 

 Atlas Mountains in Africa. No other European Bunting has nearly 

 so restricted a range. 



The nest, similar to that of the Yellow Bunting, but often con- 

 taining rather more moss, is placed in a bank among the stems 

 of a hazel or other bush, though sometimes in furze or juniper at a 

 little distance from the ground. The eggs, 4-5 in number, are 

 purplish-grey with almost black markings, bolder, as a rule, than 

 on those of the preceding species and with fewer hair-lines : average 

 measurements "86 by "64 in. The first clutch is laid in May, the 

 second in July ; and on the chalk-hills of Surrey, where the bird is 

 not uncommon, I have found that the Cuckoo is rather partial to its 

 nest. The young are fed chiefly on grasshoppers and other insects ; 

 but later, principally on grass seeds and grain ; and in the south of 

 France during snowy winter weather I have seen small flocks feed- 

 ing, along with Sparrows and other Finches, on the refuse in the 

 streets. Although unobtrusive and inconspicuous, my experience is 

 that it is anything but a shy bird ; on the contrary it will at all seasons 

 allow a very near approach and close inspection, and even when 

 disturbed it does not fly far. The note is like that of the Yellow 

 Bunting, but without the " no cheese," and, if long drawn out, is 

 nearly expressed by the French name for the bird, 'zizi.' In the 

 bright climate of the south the song may be heard throughout the 

 greater part of the year, except when the bird is actually moulting. 



The adult male has a lemon-yellow streak from the forehead over 

 each eye ; lores and ear-coverts black ; crown and nape olive 

 streaked with black ; upper wing-coverts greenish-grey ; mantle and 

 secondaries more distinctly chestnut-brown, and rump decidedly less 

 rufous than in the Yellow Bunting ; quills and tail-feathers about 

 the same as in that species ; throat black, followed by a pale sulphur- 

 coloured collar, below which is an olive-grey band succeeded by 

 chestnut-brown stripes that run down the flank; belly sulphur-yellow; 

 bill dark horn above, bluish below ; legs yellowish. Length 6 "5 in. ; 

 wing 3'25 in. The female has the throat pale buff and hardly any 

 yellow on the breast and under parts, which are streaked with dark 

 brown ; upper parts less rufous than in the male. The young are 

 rather duller than the female. 



