118 THE ORTOLAN. 



The throat of the young male birds, before the first moult- 

 ing, is of a light yellow, with a mixture of grey ; the breast 

 and belly are of a reddish yellow, speckled with grey, which 

 make them rather resemble young yellowhammers. A bird 

 fancier will distinguish the two sexes even in the nest. There 

 are white, yellow, speckled, and in the house sometimes even 

 black varieties. 



HABITATION. In its wild state the ortolan is principally found in the 

 southern and temperate parts of Europe, and is not scarce in some of the 

 provinces of Germany ; but if attention were paid to them there, they 

 might he seen in every direction on their passage ; for though they may 

 not remain during the summer in a district, yet they make some stay, 

 never passing over a great space of country at a time. Their route is so 

 exact and regular, that when one has been seen in a particular spot, espe- 

 cially if in spring, it is sure to be found there the following year at the 

 same time. They fly rather in families than flocks : the time of their ar- 

 rival iu Germany is towards the end of April, or beginning of May ; they 

 are then met with in orchards, amongst brambles or in groves, where they 

 build, particularly if millet is cultivated in the neighbourhood. During 

 harvest they frequent the fields in families, and leave after the oats are 

 gathered in*. 



In the house, if much valued, they are given a cage ; but in countries 

 where they are common they are let run about free. 



FOOD. In their wild state they live on insects and grain. In the house 

 they are fed, if in a cage, on millet, hemp seed, and prepared oats ; if at 

 liberty in a room the universal paste suits them very well. These birds, 

 being rather delicate, cannot ofteu be preserved .beyond three or four years. 



DISEASES. The most common disease of these birds is atrophy, to cure 

 or prevent which it is necessary to know how properly to mix and vary 

 animal with vegetable food ; but this calls for a greater degree of attention 

 and care than most persons are willing to give. 



MANNER OF TAKING. In spring these birds are easily attracted to a 

 decoy bush, by a female of their own species, or a yellowhammer. In 

 August a turfy place should be chosen near brambles, to form a small area, 

 us a decoy, like that made for chaffinches. It must be surrounded with a 

 low hedge, with some oat-ears fastened to it. About the area should be 

 placed one or several birds of call, especially a perching bird, that is to say, 

 a bird of the same species, with a band of soft leather round it, and con- 

 fined by a small string, fastened to a peg-stick in the ground, which pre- 

 vents its going beyond the prescribed limits. Here it should be given 

 plenty of food and water, in order that the birds to be caught may be the 

 more easily attracted within the area, from seeing one of their own species 

 in a place of abundance. This kind of decoy bird is often more necessary 

 than any other. 



ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. The fine form and colours of the ortolan 

 would be sufficient to render it desirable, but still more so its flute-like 



* It is not found in Britain. TRANSLATOR. 



