BUNTINGS. 



193 



The type of the race is — 



The Yellov.; Ammer {Emben'sa citrinelld). Few of our native birds are 

 more delicately or more beautifully coloured than the yellow ammer, or yellow 

 bunting, but, being very abundant, it is less noticed than it deserves, except 

 as an intruder, with other graminivorous birds, into the stack-yard. During the 

 winter the yellow ammers collect in small flocks, or associate with flocks of the 

 common bunting {Emberiza tniliaris). In spring, during the pairing season, 

 the male may often be observed on the topmost twig of a hedgerow, uttering 



Fig 102— Ihf Yellow Ammlr (Awi't;/ acitnii Itt) 



a monotonous chirp. If approached, it flies off, keeping along the hedge, and 

 Settles at a little distance; if followed, it repeats this short flight again and 

 again. The yellow ammer builds on the ground, in low bushes, in beds of 

 nettles or other herbage : its nest is formed of dried grasses, with a lining of 

 hair. The eggs are of a pale purplish white, with streaks and waving marks 

 of chocolate colour. This species is to be met with throughout the greater 

 part of Europe. 



We owe to Mr. Yarrell the restoration to this bird of its original name, 

 yellow ammer, so often printed and pronounced " yellow hammer." The word 

 " ammer" is the common German word for bunting ; as, for example, " schncc 

 a»i;ner" snow bunting ; '' gartcii aiiuner" garden buntin* ; '•'■ rolir ammer" 

 reed bunting, etc. Our mode of prefixing the letter h to the word is erroneous. 

 In Italy these birds are caught in great numbers, and fattened for the table in 

 the same way as the ortolan* 



* The Ortolan Buntings {Emberiza hortulanus), so esteemed as a dainty, appear to 

 be confined to the southern parts of Europe, where, however, they are to a certain extent 



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