122 THE BLACK BONNET, OR REED BUNTING. 



tu res two and a half ; the beak, four lines in length, is black 

 on the upper part, and whitish on the under ; the iris is dark 

 brown ; the legs, nine lines high, are dark flesh-coloured. The 

 head is black, with reddish spots ; a reddish white line extends 

 from the base of the lower mandible quite round the head ; the 

 back is black, spotted with wliite and red, the rump alter- 

 nately grey and reddish yellow ; the throat is black spotted. 



The feathers on the head of the male never return to as good 

 a black after moulting, when in the house, as in its wild state, 

 but remain always browner, and clouded with reddish white. 



The head of the female is of a rusty brown, spotted with 

 black ; her browm cheeks are encircled with a reddish white 

 streak, which, passing above the eyes, unites with another w^hich 

 commences at the base of the beak ; a dark streak passes doAvn 

 the sides of the throat, which, with the under part of the body, 

 is reddish white, much streaked on the breast with light brown ; 

 the colour of the back is lighter, but less clear than that of the 

 male. 



Habitatiox. — In their wild state this species is found throughout Europe 

 and the north of Asia, flying in small flocks, and returning in March in 

 great flights. The females follow the males, and do not remain behind, as 

 some pretend. During winter some of these birds arc met with here and 

 there amongst the yellowhammers ; they frequent moist places, the banks of 

 ponds and rivers ; they run nimbly up the stalks of aquatic plants, but 

 rarely ascend trees. 



In the house it is the custom here to let them range a room ; but they 

 may be kept in a cage. 



Food — Wlien wild they feed on the seeds of rushes, bullrushes, reeds, 

 and grasses, as well as on the numerous insects that frequent the water 

 side. 



In the house they seem to relish the first universal paste and poppy seeds, 

 on which food they will live five or six years ; but afterwards they droop 

 and die of atrophy or scurf, as I have remarked several times. 



Breeding. — These birds make their nests among the reeds and brambles 

 on tlie waler-oide. They lay five or six eggs of a dusky light grey, with 

 dark grey spots and dusky lines rather indistinctly mingled. 



Mode of Taking lu autumn they enter the area or decoy with the 



chaffinch ; in spring, when there is snow, they approach the barns and 

 dunghills, and there, as well as in open places in the fields and on the hedges, 

 they are very easily taken with a net or birdlime. 



Attractive Qualities. — Their song is alternately weak and strong. 

 Three or four simple tones, mingled from time to time with a sharp r, 

 distinguish it from every other ; it is heard all the summer, even during the 

 night. Of all the buntings, this is the most easily tamed; it is also a 

 great amateur of music, approaching the instrument without fear, as I have 



