THE PERCHING BIRDS. 177 



admirably adapted for extracting them from their hard 

 covering. The " Parrot Crossbill," a larger race with 

 stouter bill, has wandered to Great Britain and Ireland at 

 long intervals. The nest, ready by the end of February, is 

 of twigs lined with grass, and is placed among the boughs 

 of fir-trees. Eggs, 4, nearly i inch ; grey, with red spots. 

 Two-barred Crossbill. A rare straggler from the north 

 of Europe, a slightly different American race having also 

 occurred 'but a few times. In the winter of 1894-95, one 

 was killed in Somersetshire and another near Enniskillen. 

 There are two white bands on the wings. 



Black-headed Bunting. A rare straggler from Southern 

 Europe, which has occurred three times. 



The Corn-Bunting, or "Bunting Lark," as it is often 

 called, is widely distributed throughout the British Islands, 



Corn- though little known in many districts, especially 



bunting. j n i re l an d. The breast of this bird is yellowish 

 white, with brown spots, and there is a not very distinct 

 whitish line over the eye. The food of the corn-bunting 

 consists of insects and grain, chiefly, it is to be feared, the 

 latter ; though there is compensation in the fact that when 

 fattened on this diet it is, like its still better relative the 

 ortolan, excellent eating. The nest, placed on the ground, 

 is of grass and straw lined with hair. It is built late in 

 May. Eggs, 4 or 5, -i inch ; greenish white, with purple 

 and brown spots and streaks. 



The Yellow-" Hammer " nests throughout these islands, 



save in the Shetlands. This bird is the handsomest of the 



Yellow- buntings, and may be at once recognised by 



Hammer. t k e bright yellow of its head and breast. The 



crown is spotted. It feeds on insects, berries, and seeds. 



The nest is usually on or near the ground, but I have 



taken it in bushes quite 2 feet above it. It is of grass 



lined with hair. Eggs, 4 or 5, inch ; brownish white, with 



curious violet or purple scribblings (hence "Writing Lark "). 



M 



