THE COMMON BUNTING. 189 



these birds. Macgillivray informs us that it is more abun- 

 dant in the outer Hebrides than in any other part of the 

 country he has visited ; and that it is there generally known 

 by the name of Sparrow. In England it is a constant resi- 

 dent; but as it is much more abundant in autumn and 

 winter than in summer, it probably receives accessions to its 

 numbers from the north. From its habit of congregating in 

 large flocks in the winter and alighting on arable land to 

 feed, after the manner of the Skylark, it is sometimes 

 called "Lark Bunting," and, from its favourite food, "Corn 

 Bunting." It builds its nest in a tuft of grass, often under 

 the shelter of briers or a low bush, constructing it of dry 

 grass with a lining of hair. Its song, which is harsh and 

 unmelodious, consists of a number of short repetitions of 

 the same note, terminating with a long one lower in tone, 

 and is generally uttered by the bird perched the while on 

 some slight elevation, such as a stone or the topmost twig 

 of a furze-bush. On first rising, it allows its legs to drop 

 as if broken. 



THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 



EMBERIZA SCHCENICLUS. 



Head, throat and gorget black (in winter speckled with light brown); nape, 

 sides of the neck, and a line extending to the base of the beak on each side, 

 white ; upper parts variegated with reddish brown and dusky ; under parts 

 white, streaked with dusky on the flanks. Female head reddish brown, with 

 dusky spots ; the white on the neck less distinct ; under parts reddish white, 

 with dusky spots. Length six inches. Eggs purplish grey, blotched and lined 

 with dark purple brown. 



WHEREVER there is water, in the shape of a lake, canal, 

 or river, b'ned by bushes and rushes, there the Black- 

 headed Bunting is pretty sure to be seen at most seasons 

 of the year. The male is strongly marked by his black 

 head and white collar ; the head of the female is of the 

 same colour as the body; but the white collar, of a less 

 bright hue, she shares with her mate. " Reed Bunting " 

 and "Reed Sparrow" are other names for the same bird. 



