COMMON BUNTING. 



437 



the neck and on the breast "svitli conical spots of dark brown ; 

 the flanks marked "with elongated lines of dark brown : leffs., 

 toes, and claws, pale yellow brown. 



The whole length of the adult bird rather more than seven 

 inches. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing three 

 inches and three quarters : the first quill-feather a little 

 shorter than the second, the second a little shorter than the 

 third, which is the longest in the wing ; the fourth feather a 

 little shorter than the first. 



There is little or no difference in the plumage of the female 

 to distinguish it from that of the male ; and young birds of 

 the year very soon acquire the appearance of their parents. 



Varieties in colour of this species are not uncommon. 



The figures below represent the cranium and foot of the 

 Common Bunting, in the former of which may be seen the 

 palatine knob on the upper mandible, and the opposed cut- 

 ting angle of the lower jaw, peculiar to the true Buntings. 



