132 A BOOK OF BIRDS 



all birds. They are a New World group, closely allied to the true 

 Finches. Indeed it is difficult to find characters whereby the Family 

 Tanagridae can be separated from the Family Fringillidse. 



The little Calliste (Plate XXI. fig. 7) is shown here as a good 

 example of the vividness which the Tanagers commonly display in 

 their plumage, though some species are quite soberly clad. The 

 species here figured is a well-known cage-bird. 



FAMILY EMBERIZID/E {The Buntings) 



The Buntings are obviously nearly related to the Finches, but 

 they may be distinguished therefrom, among other things, by the 

 small knob which is found in the centre of the inner surface of the 

 upper jaw, the strongly marked angle of the lower jaw, and the fact 

 that there is a gap between the cutting edges of the beak when the 

 mouth is closed. 



Many of the Buntings are brightly coloured. Some species, on 

 the other hand, have a quite sombre livery. Such, for example, is 

 the case with the Corn Bunting (Plate XXVII. fig. 2), known also 

 as the Common Bunting. It is a relatively large bird, measuring 

 7 inches in length, and is furthermore noteworthy in that it bears a 

 really striking resemblance to a Skylark, from which, however, it may 

 easily be distinguished by its beak and the absence of a conspicuously 

 long claw to the hind-toe. This bird, though common in some parts 

 of England, is comparatively rare in others. 



The Yellow Ammer (Plate XXVII. fig. i), or Yellow Bunting, 

 is a far more common species than the last named. It is also known 

 as the '' Writing-lark," and this because of the curious " scribblings " 

 as of a pen which cover its eggs ; though this character, it should 

 be mentioned, is also shared by the eggs of the Buntings in general. 



Perhaps the most celebrated of all the Buntings is the Ortolan 

 (Plate XXVII. fig. 3), and this because of the fame which it has 

 unfortunately acquired as a table delicacy. Common throughout the 

 greater part of Europe, this bird, as soon as the breeding-season is 

 over, returns southwards, collecting along the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean in vast flocks. On both of its migratory journeys, to and from 

 Europe, it is beset by bird-catchers, who make enormous hauls, 

 fattening their victims for the table. Its natural food consists of 



