195 



COMMON OK COBN BUNTING. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BUNTINGS COMMON, YELLOW, CTRL, ORTOLAN, SNOW AND 



LAPLAND BUNTINGS. 



THE Emberizince, or Bunting family, is composed of 

 species intimately allied with the Passerince, or Sparrow 

 family, in which are included the various kinds of Finches 

 and Linnets. All these birds agree in their general charac- 

 teristics, and one unacquainted with the structural and 

 other differences, appreciable only to the scientific natu- 

 ralist, wonders why they should be placed in distinct family 

 groups. 



Of the true Buntings we have in this country five species, 

 of the Lark Buntings two ; the latter birds form an inter- 

 mediate link between the Sparrows and Larks. All the 

 birds of this family have a strong, undulating, and rapid 

 flight. They move on the ground by short leaps, frequent 

 the open fields, retreating to trees and bushes when dis- 

 turbed, and reposing at night on the ground or on low 

 bushes. They are heavy birds, and more terrestrial in 

 their habits than the Larks or Finches. 



