BUNTINGS 



17 



Eggs. Usually 3-4. Like large greenfinch's, but with fewer 

 and darker markings. Greenish-white sparsely scrawled or 

 spotted with dark purple-red. Sometimes unmarked, or only 

 faintly so. Av. size, *83 x '62 in. Laying begins usually 

 January-March. Broods 1-2. 



22. Bullfinch [Pyrrhula pyrrJiula pileata Macgillivray ; 

 P. europcea Vieillot.J Resident in most parts. 



Bird. Length 6 in. Recognised by the black hood, red (rose- 

 vermilion) breast, white rump which 

 contrasts with the black tail and grey 

 back and is conspicuous in flight. The 

 hen has the white rump and black 

 head, but differs in having the back 

 brown and the under-part vinous brown. 

 The young lack the black hood, but 

 have the white rump; their whole 

 upper-parts are grey-tinged brown, 

 and the under-parts pale brown. 



Nest. In bushes, especially ever- 

 greens, and hedges. Material : twigs 

 and moss, lined usually with roots. 



Eggs. Usually 4-6. Greenish-blue 

 streaked and spotted, chiefly at the thick end, with purplish- 

 brown, with fainter under-markings. Rare white variety with 

 reddish markings and without markings. Av. size, '77 x *57 

 in. Laying begins usually May. Broods 1-2. 



Fig. 14. 



(3) Family: Fringillidce. Subfamily: Emberizince 

 Buntings 



23. Corn-bunting [JSmberissa calandra Linnaeus ; E. milaria 

 Linn.]. Resident in most parts. 



Bird. Length 7 in. Distinguished by its heavy build and 

 thick bill. The latter is provided with a palatal knob. 

 General hue ochreous-brown, upper-parts 

 ochreous streaked with dusky brown, 

 under-parts huffish-white streaked with 

 dusky brown on the throat, forebreast, 

 and flanks. Wing-coverts margined with 

 buff, forming a bar. Tail dark brown, 

 edged paler brown. Yellower in autumn 

 and winter. The young resemble the 

 parents in autumn plumage, with differences of which the 

 chief are a distinctly rufous tint on the throat, and broad 



Fig. 15 



