BRANDT'S SIBERIAN BUNTING. n 7.< 



I sold my Redwings, and subsequently they were made use of for show purposes. 



In the late autumn of 1894 I selected a male Ortolan from a consignment of 

 Weavers (out of colour) which had just been received from Africa : it had been 

 imported, together with Abyssinian and Russ' Weavers, and with these I continue 

 to keep it in one of my cool aviaries. 



Like its predecessors, this Ortolan, associated as it is with naturally quarrel- 

 some and powerful birds, is singularly quiet and retiring in its demeanour ; indeed 

 it often seems to weary of the constant wranglings and strong language of the 

 Weavers, and perches quite low down, or even on the earth ; where, from time to 

 time, it utters its melancholy little monotonous song : although it never has a 

 chance of securing any insect food, all of which is greedily devoured as soon as 

 it is thrown into the aviary by three specimens of a Cape Weaver Sitagra fS. 

 capensistj it appears to find all that it needs for its health in the few dried ants' 

 cocoons remaining in a saucer of soft food, which has already been picked over 

 by examples of Liothrix and Zosterops : it also eats a good many oats, in addition 

 to Canary and other seeds. 



In spite of their usually placid behaviour, this and all the Buntings are very 

 pretty additions to a mixed aviary ; their plumage being usually quite uninjured 

 and scrupulously clean. Although perhaps not so passionately fond of bathing as 

 some of the more typical Finches, they perform their ablutions once or twice each 

 day in a methodical and business-like manner, which is probably quite as effective 

 as the hurried splashing, characteristic of a Goldfinch or Canary. 



Family FRINGILLWsE. SubfamilvEMBERIZINsE. 



BRANDT'S SIBERIAN BUNTING. 



Emberiza cioides, BRANDT. 



A 



N example of the Chinese race of this species, said to have been obtained 

 near Flamborough, in October, 1887, was purchased in June, 1888, by Mr. 



VOL. II. T A. 



