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finches is principally supplied. It is a bird of 
retired habits, and does not associate with other 
denizens of the air, but is generally seen in pairs 
or families of five or six. During the spring 
it is particularly destructive to the buds of fruit 
trees. Its loosely built nest, which is formed 
of small twigs and fibrous roots, is generally found 
in a low tree or thick bush. The eggs, four or 
five in number, are of a light blue, speckled with 
orange, and with brown and purple streaks. 
BUNTING, BLACK-HEADED, OR REED. 
Reep Sparrow. 
EMBERIZA SCHENICLUS, Lin. 
Birds of this species frequent fens and marshy 
places, where there are abundance of reeds and 
rushes. The female is destitute of the black head 
and white ring round the neck, which distinguish 
the male, the head, neck, and back being streaked 
with plain rusty brown lines, from which it has 
no doubt acquired the name of Reed Sparrow. 
An error has been very generally entertained 
regarding this bird. It has been asserted that it 
has a melodious song, a circumstance from which 
it has been confounded with the Reed and Sedge 
Warblers. The nest of the Black-headed Bunting 
is composed of dried grass and moss, lined 
