116 THE CORN BUNTING. 



of moulting is very dangerous to them, as they suffer much, and sometimes 

 die ; to render this period less dangerous, they should have fresh ants' eggs 

 as soon as it commences, a remedy most useful to this species, to chaffinches, 

 and to sparrows. 



MODE OF TAKING. The yellowhamrner is easily taken in winter, near 

 our dwellings, either in a net, with a stalk of oats as a bait, or under a 

 basket or sieve, which may be thrown down, by drawing away the small 

 stick that supports it, by means of a string. They will also enter the area 

 or barnfloor trap, if a perching bird is fastened there, by a string attached 

 to the leather band round its body ; in spring they may be caught like other 

 birds, by means of a bird-call. 



ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. The first of these is certainly the beauty of 

 the bird, but the fine yellow which sets it off fades gradually when kept in 

 the house, where it will live five or six years ; the second is its song, 

 which, without being very distinguished, is rather pleasing ; its call, though 

 not strong, is heard to some distance; but this bird, so gay, so spruce, so 

 active when free, becomes dull, idle, and awkward in a cage. 



THE CORN BUNTING. 



Emberiza miliaria, LINNJEUS ; Le Proyer, BUFFON ; Der Gerstenammer, 

 BECHSTLIN. 



THIS species, found throughout Europe and the north of 

 Asia, has not so good a title to be admitted into the house as 

 the preceding, not being distinguished either for its song or the 

 beauty of its colours. With a plumage very similar to that 

 of the sky-lark, it surpasses it in size, being seven inches and 

 a half in length, of which the tail measures three. The beak, 

 measuring six lines, is strong, yellowish on the under part in 

 summer ; the rest of the year the whole of it is grey brown ; 

 the feet the same, which stand six lines in height. The general 

 tint of the plumage is pale, reddish grey on the upper part of 



