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(715) EMBERIZA HORTULANA, Ortolan Bunting, as it is called. 
This species is much sought after in its fattened condition for Epi- 
cures’ tables. They are seldom met with except in the cold weather, 
and in company with other species of Fringillide with whom they 
associate in big flocks. They visit Darjeeling on approach of winter 
and remain a week or two in the neighbourhood, before descending 
to warmer climes. It is about 6 inches in size; Bill is reddish ; 
plumage, above, is reddish brown with streaks ; wings and _ tail dull 
brown ; it has a white patch on outer tail feathers ; the head, neck 
and breast are grey with a greenish tinge; a pale yellow streak on 
side of the head, also a central streak of the same colour on the 
throat ; beneath, plumage is ferruginous. 
Il.--YELLOW CORN-BUNTINGS. 
Wings and tail are longish ; bill strong and less conic, both 
mandibles nearly equal in length, palatal knob less perceptable. The 
white patch usually found on the buntings is absent in two of the 
three species of Corn-buntings. These birds are gregarious and set- 
tle in large numbers on fields of ripening grain in winter. 
(721) EuspIzA MELANOCEPHALA, Black-headed Bunting, seldom 
remains more than two or three days with us in early spring, when 
they ascend to high altitudes to breed. I found a nest on one or 
two occasions, near the ground, on upper moorland like country, 
near open scrub lands. This Bunting is 8 inches in size, colour, 
above, is rich chesnut on back and seapulars, a tinge of yellow on 
rump and upper tail coverts ; bright yellow edgings on the feathers ; 
head black ; bright yellow on the chin, breast and lower part ; sides 
of the breast chesnut. These birds usually go for wheat and barley 
fields in the district, Sikkim and Thibet. 
I1l.—CRESTED BUNTINGS. 
These birds have black plumage and heads crested, 
GENUS MELOPHUS, Dill is compressed, tip slightly notched ; wings 
short ; hind claw longish, head with a prominent frontal crest. ’ 
(724) MELOPHUS MELANICTERUS, Crested Black Bunting, visits 
Darjeeling on its migratory journey to the plains in winter. It is 
rare in this district, usually found solitary or in pairs and_ prefers 
more stoney country, brows of the hills and short scrub jungle. It 
builds at a considerable elevation ; usually beyond Jongri. The 
Crested Bunting is 64 inches in length, colour of the male is glossy, 
