BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 485 



The contrast afforded by the black head of this bird as 

 opposed to the white collar on the neck, and the varied co- 

 lours of the back, give it an agreeable and inviting appear- 

 ance, and it is accordingly a favourite with many. If 

 suitable localities are visited, the male during the breeding 

 season may be seen perched on a conspicuous spray, amus- 

 ing his mate and himself with his song for an hour toge- 

 ther ; this consists of an interchange of two or three notes,- 

 which, however, have nothing particular to recommend 

 them. His habit and his song are somewhat similar to 

 those of the Common Bunting and the Yellow Bunting ; 

 but the song of the latter is perhaps a little better in quality 

 of tone. The nest is generally placed on the ground 

 among coarse long grass or rushes, at the foot of a thorn, 

 or on the side of a canal bank ; sometimes, but rarely, in 

 a low bush, the nest being placed a short distance only 

 above the ground, perhaps but a few inches. It is com- 

 posed of a little moss with coarse grass, lined with finer 

 grass and hairs. The nest of this bird has been described 

 by some authors as made of grass, lined with the soft 

 down of the reed, and suspended between four reed stalks, 

 thus apparently referring to the nest of the Reed Warbler 

 as figured at page 299 ; but by comparison it will be found 

 that the nest of the Black-headed Bunting does not agree 

 with that of the Reed Warbler either in materials or si- 

 tuation. The bird itself has also been stated to put forth 

 a soft, melodious, warbling song, which is frequently heard 

 in the night : this is a just estimate of the powers and 

 habits of the Reed Warbler and the Sedge Warbler, but 

 not of the Black-headed or Reed Bunting, and as the term 

 Reed Bunting may have helped to induce and extend the 

 confusion, it would probably be desirable to use in prefer- 

 ence the name of Black-headed Bunting. 



