EMBERIZID^. 115 
sides of the Straits, gathering together in flocks during the 
winter. 
Frequenting all the vegas or plains in Andalucia, it is, from 
its numbers, size, note, and peculiar varying flight, very con- 
spicuous ; in some localities it positively swarms. At times 
their flight is very like that of some of the smaller Waders; and 
often when flying in the breeding-season they utter notes 
which very much resemble the cry of the Green Sandpiper, 
only of course not so loud. 
They consort much with the Short-toed Lark, and nest 
sometimes close together on cultivated as well as pasture land, 
laying about the second week in April. 
It is a very common cage-bird at Gibraltar, and much prized 
for its song as well as for its lively habits. 
149. Otocorys bilopha, Temm. The Horned Desert-Lark. 
This species is mentioned by Mr. Drake as having been 
obtained in Morocco; but I never had the good fortune to 
meet with it. The upper part of the body is a pale fawn- 
colour, the adult male having a black gorget and two long 
black ear-tufts. 
Family Emberizid^. 
150. Emberlza miliaria, Linn. The Common Bunting. 
Moorish. Dorris [Favier). Spanish. Triguero. 
This well-known bird is exceedingly numerous both in 
Andalucia and Morocco, and, being to a great extent migra- 
tory, is perhaps least plentiful in winter. From its fearless 
stupidity and from its conspicuous habit of perching on the 
top of some small bush or plant, vast quantities are killed by 
the Spaniards and exposed for sale in the markets, while during 
the winter months a great many are caught roosting on the 
ground by the aid of the lantern. 
The common Bunting commences to lay about the first 
week in May, often placing its nest at the edge of marshes ; 
and I have taken it in the midst of a swamp, placed on a dry 
tussock, within a yard of a nest of Savi's Warbler. Albino 
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