THE BUNTINGS 



1589 



of feathers round the eyes and throat being pale citron yellow; the general color of 

 the upper parts is reddish brown with black streaks to the feathers of the mantle 

 and back; the eyelid is white; the fore-neck and chest are dusky greenish olive; and 

 the remainder of the under parts is reddish cinnamon. 



The meadow bunting (E. da) is a lively member of the family met 

 with, locally, in many parts of Central Europe, living chiefly in moun- 

 tain valleys such as those to be found in Central France. Each pair 

 generally occupies its own particular district, and, while the females incubate their 

 eggs, the males rehearse their songs, generally perching in a prominent position on 

 the top of some bush. The nest of the meadow bunting is made of dry stalks and 

 moss, lined with horsehair and wool. Mr. Dresser found this bird numerous in the 



Meadow 

 Bunting 



THE SPARROW BUNTING. 



neighborhood of Barcelona, where it frequented the cactus hedges, flying when dis- 

 turbed from plant to plant, and often perching on the very top of the cacti, uttering 

 its call note, zi zi zi. This species chiefly affects the hillsides and barren dry places 

 where but few stunted bushes are scattered about, but in some parts of Europe it 

 has been found frequenting the vineyards. It feeds on various seeds of wild plants, 

 and to some extent on insects. The eggs are easily distinguished by their continu- 

 ous markings, which appear as if they were made by a pen without taking it from 

 the surface of the egg. In color they are pale gray, marked with blackish-brown 

 lines. The adult male has the head and neck bluish gray, with two black bauds 

 along the sides of the crown, and two other black bands passing through the eye, 

 forming a mustache, while the upper parts are bright russet, streaked with black; 



