THE YELLOWHAMMER. 115 



reddish grey ; the rump is of a deep red ; the throat, with the 

 under part of the neck and the belly, are yellow, more or less 

 golden ; the breast, especially its sides, as well as the small 

 coverts of the tail, is streaked with yellow and red. 



The female is rather smaller than the male ; the yellow of 

 the head, neck, and throat, is scarcely seen through the spots 

 scattered over it, which are brown on the head and cheeks, and 

 olive-coloured on the neck ; the breast is only speckled with 

 rust red, and the wing coverts with reddish white, so that at a 

 distance it appears rather brown than yellow. 



Young male birds, in spring, scarcely differ from old females, 

 except that a spot of yellow may even then be seen on the top 

 of the head, as well as a streak of the same colour above the 

 eyes and on the throat: in fact, the breast and rump are 

 rather of a deep reddish brown than rust red, and also with- 

 out spots. 



HABITATION In its wild state the yellowhammer is found in all parts 



of Europe, and the north of Asia. It remains in summer about the skirts 

 of forests and small woods. It overruns the fields in autumn, and in the 

 winter approaches our buildings, particularly barns and stables. 



When confined it is generally allowed to run about the room, but where 

 it is rare, and therefore most valued, it is kept in a cage. 



FOOD. When wild these birds live on insects, particularly caterpillars, 

 on which, like all the other species of this genus, they feed their young. 

 In autumn and winter, they have recourse to all kinds of grain ; but they 

 prefer oats, which, with barley, wheat, and millet, they know how to get at 

 very cleverly, notwithstanding the bony tubercle at their palate. They 

 also feed upon rape, and other small seeds, when they can get them. 



In the house, to preserve them in health, their food should be properly 

 varied, giving them in turn oats, the crumb of white bread, meat, bruised 

 hemp seed, poppy and rape seed. When running about, the second uni- 

 versal paste agrees very well with them. It is no doubt to assist their 

 digestion, that they often swallow fresh black earth, as I have always seen 

 those do that I have kept ; this must not be forgotten to be given them, nor 

 water for them to bathe in, which they enjoy very much. 



BREEDING This species breeds twice in the year, the first time in tk. 

 end of March, or the beginning of April. The nest, which is placed in u 

 hedge, bush, tuft of grass, or even in moss on the ground, is formed on the 

 outside of straws, interwoven and lined within with the hair of horses and 

 other animals. It contains from three to five eggs, of a dirty white, with 

 zig-zag lines and spots of brown. When reared from the nest the young 

 ones may be taught to imitate the song of the chaffinch, and a few notes of 

 other birds. 



DISEASES. The disease most common to this bird is decline. The time 

 i 2 



