LARKS 19 



26. Reed-bunting, reed-sparrow [Embenza slwsniclus sho&- 

 niclus (Linnaeus)]. Generally resident in marshy localities or 

 reed-beds. 



Bird. Length 6 in. Recognised by the black head and 

 throat with intersecting white stripe, and 

 the ash-grey rump tinged and striped with 

 brown. Uiider-parts white, the flanks 

 striated with brown. Mantle black mar- 

 gined chestnut. Tail dusky with con- 

 spicuous white on the outer quills. The 

 hen has the head reddish-brown, striated 

 dusky with yellowish- white stripe below 

 and above the eye. In autumn the male 

 loses the black, which becomes yellowish- 

 brown ; the female becomes browner. Fig. 17. 

 The young are much like the hen. 



Nest. Place : usually near the ground in marshy ground. 

 Material : grasses, bents, lined with finer grasses, hair, or 

 reed-flowers. 



Eggs. Usually 4-5. Olive, pale greenish or buff spotted and 

 streaked with black-brown and fainter violet-grey. Av. size, 

 '76 x '56 in. Laying begins April. Broods 2-3. 



27. Snow-bunting [Plectrophenax nivalis (Linnseus) ; Passerina 

 nivalis (Linn.)]. Winter visitor chiefly to coast districts. A 

 few breed in the Highlands. 



Bird. Length 7 in. Distinguished from all the other 

 buntings by the large amount of white on the wings and their 

 greater length. The male, in the breeding season, is white 

 except on the back, middle tail-quills, and wings, the black on 

 the latter mixed with white. In autumn the upper-parts 

 become mostly chestnut or tawny, and the under-parts more or 

 less tinged with rufous buff. The hen differs chiefly in having 

 the upper-parts greyish-brown flecked with black ; in autumn 

 she resembles the male more closely. The young are much like 

 the female. 



Nest. Place : usually crevices among boulders on a mountain- 

 side ; also in sea cliffs in Shetland. Material : usually grass 

 lined with feathers, fine grass, hair. 



Eggs. Usually 5-6. White to pale bluish or greenish 

 marked with red-brown and fainter violet. Av. size, '86 x '63 

 in. Laying May-June. One brood. 



(4) Family: Alaudidce Larks 



28. Skylark [Alauda arvensis arvensis Linnaeus]. Resident 

 and common in most parts. 



