CIEL BUNTINGS IN SUSSEX 67 



but also by reason of their infinitely richer and 

 bolder pattern of markings. In ground, then, the 

 " Girl's ' eggs range from dull white to the 

 faintest imaginable of bluish- or greenish- whites, 

 whilst the streaky and blotchy markings which, 

 excepting a few inferior ones of lilac-grey, are 

 very dark sienna or black are generally more 

 numerous and, even with poor specimens, far and 

 away bolder, coarser, and broader than the com- 

 paratively thin and tortuous pencillings, scrib- 

 blings, and hieroglyphics generally to be seen on 

 the eggs of the Yellowhammer. Even with those 

 few examples which possess the suggestion of a 

 purplish or pinkish cast (sometimes you find a 

 couple of eggs of this rare type in a nest containing 

 other two of the normal colouring), and which 

 might, if viewed unlabelled in the cabinet, give 

 rise to indecision, this dashing disposition of 

 markings should preclude all confusion and error. 

 Of course, your really careful oologist will always 

 take stock of the owners of a nest, even though 

 he harbours no doubt as to its true identity. 



This brings me to the issue of how best to dis- 

 tinguish the Girl Bunting from its first cousin the 

 Yellowhammer. Happily the differences are not 

 complex and may readily be grasped. To begin 

 with, the adult male " Girl " sports at all seasons 

 a black chin and throat. The cock Yellowhammer 

 does not, his bib being, instead, of a peculiarly 

 telling and rich shade of chrome. Seen back on. 



r2 



