130 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



migration) or rare in south-eastern Europe, eastwards to Siberia. 

 In winter in south Europe, Asia Minor, in small numbers in north 

 Africa, in Asia as far south as Punjab in north-west India. 

 Replaced by a number of allied forms in south-east Europe and 

 central Asia. 



EMBERIZA PALUSTRIS 



54. Emberiza palustris palustris Savi — THE WESTERN 



LARGE-BILLED REED-BUNTING. 



Emberiza palustris Savi, Orn. Toscana, 11, p. 91 (1829 — "Toscana"). 

 Emhpriza pyrrhuloides palu-itrin Savi, M. J. Nicoll, Bull. B.O.C., xxi, 

 p. 104; id., Brit. B., il, p. 88. 

 Emberiza palustris palustris Savi, Hartert, Brit. B., vi, p. 154. 



A. Reed-Bunting (Emberiza s. schmniclus) ; B. Westnrn Large-billed Reed-Bunting 

 (Emberiza p. palustris) ; C. Eastern Large-billed Reed-Bunting (Emberiza p. tschusii). 



Description. — Easily distmguished from E. s. schoeniclus by large 

 size and thick bill but in coloration scarcely different, though in 

 winter male is slightly more tawny-buff on under -parts and female 

 especially so, and streaks on breast and flanks more reddish. 

 Moults and abrasion as in E. s. schoenichis. 



Measurements and structure. — ^ wing 78-85 mm., tail 67-70, 

 tarsus 19-21, bill length from skull 10.5-11.5, depth at nostrils 6.5-8 

 (8 measured). $ wmg 75-79. Wing-formula as E. s. schoeniclus. 

 Bill thick and deep, upper mandible considerably deeper than 

 lower, and high and arched curving to tip, not flattish and straight 

 as in other Buntings, lower mandible also thick. 



Characters and allied forms. — High, arched bill distinguishes 

 it from E. schoeniclus ; forms of E. 'pyrrhuloides have still thicker 

 bills and are usually paler in colour on upper -parts. 



Breeding-habits. — Breeds in marshes, reed-beds and swamps, 

 on or near ground. A"es<.— Similar to Reed-Bunting's. Eggs. — 

 4 or 5, like Reed-Bunting's, but slightly larger, and more boldly 

 marked. Breeding -season. — May. Incubation. — ^No details. 



Food. — Seeds of water plants and insects. 



