LARKS 19 
96. Reed-bunting, reed-sparrow [Emberiza sheniclus she- 
niclus (Linneeus)]. 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. Under-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, 
‘76x ‘56 in. Laying begins April. Broods 2-3. 
27. Snow-bunting [ Plectrophenax nivalis (Linnzeus) ; 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: Alaudide—Larks 
28. Skylark [Alauda arvensis arvensis Linnseus}]. Resident 
and common in most parts. 
