EMBERIZA MILARIA. 379 



Genus Emberiza, or True Buntings. 



This genus embraces the four well-known species found 

 in Britain — the corn-bunting, yellow-bunting, reed-bunting, and 

 the cirl-bunting. Their bill is hard, strong, conical, and sharp 

 pointed, well suited for living on grain and seeds. The tomia 

 or cutting edges of both mandibles bend inwards, and are com- 

 pressed at the point for that purpose. The upper is smaller 

 and narrower than the under one, having its roof provided 

 with a hard bony knob ; but, while living chiefly on grain and 

 seeds, like all sensible creatures they change their diet in 

 summer by also feeding on insects and larvae. 



The Common or Corn Bunting. 



(Emberiza Milaria). Linn. 



" The winter it is past, and the summer's come at last, 

 And the little birds sing on every tree ; 

 Now every thing is glad, while I am very sad, 

 Since my true love is parted from me." — Bums. 



This bulky bird is well named the corn-bunting, for in 

 spring and summer it is usually seen near corn-fields perched 

 on the highest twig of a hedge, or on a paling or dyke 

 enclosing them. During the courting and matrimonial season 

 their queer song or skirl and odd manner of flight, with their 

 feet dangling down, are quite unique. I know of no other 

 bird which has the same habit. Their unmusical but not 

 unpleasant huee, twee, twee, twee, twee-ee may be heard as you 

 pass along almost every road which skirt corn fields. It is 

 something like the deil, deil, deil, deil tak thee-ee of the 

 yellow bunting — only not so mournful — a repetition of short 

 unmusical notes, ending in a long note. I heard it as early as 

 the 26th of January 1893, and its singular habit of elevating 

 its wings and dangling its legs when flying, while its mate is 

 sitting on her eggs close by, cannot fail to be observed by 

 every lover of nature. They are not so commonly observed at 



