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EMBERIZA HENSLOWII. 



HENSLOW'S BUNTING. 



Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii, Nuit. Man. 

 Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill very stout in proportion to the bird, 

 which is at all times a specific distinction. Adult with two black 

 bands on the top of the head, with an intermediate yellowish- 

 brown ; upper parts light yellowish-brown, streaked with 

 brownish-black ; the margins of the feathers on the back and sca- 

 pulars light red ; the edges of the wings pale yellow; lower parts 

 light brownish-yellow, abdomen and throat paler ; the sides of the 

 body and sides of the neck, and upper part of the breast, streaked 

 with black ; quills dusky ; primai'ies edged with brownish-yellow ; 

 secondaries with light red ; tail feathers dusk}?^, the outer margined 

 with yellowish-brown, the middle more broadly with light red ; bill 

 very stout ; wings short, tail feathers pointed. Length five inches, 

 wing two and three-eighths. 



This species was first described by Mr. Andubon. He discovered 

 it in Kentucky, opposite Cincinnati. He also speaks of it as being 

 abundant in the State of New Jersey, and he likewise procured 

 great numbers in South Carolina and Florida. On Long Island it 

 is not abundant, but it is not so rare as is generally supposed. In 

 general, it frequents the low, wet meadows, and passes most of its 

 time on the ground among the tall grass, and is exceedingly diffi- 

 cult to flush, even when pursued with dogs ; it will not fly untily 

 nearly within their reach, when it starts from the ground, moves on 

 only a few yards, and again drops among the grass — and unless 

 the gunner is expert, it is apt to escape. From the eagerness with 

 which it is pursued by dogs, we may infer that it possesses consid- 

 erable game effluvia 



It is closely allied to the Yellow-winged Bunting, and from this 

 circumstance may easily be overlooked by collectors. In other 

 parts of the State of New York, it is not uncommon. Mr. Bell 

 informs me that in Rockland county he has shot from ten to fifteen 

 during one season, and saw as many more. 



