60 EMBERIZID.E. 



out Europe, which is hardly less extraordinary than that of 

 the preceding species, may account in some measure for its 

 scarcity in our island . Its affection for certain spots renders 

 any attempt to treat of its distribution not only difficult 

 but, for want of sufficiently precise information, almost 

 futile. Its presence or absence cannot as yet be connected 

 with any known peculiarity of geological formation, soil or 

 crops. It was long ago said in France, and apparently with 

 truth, to prefer wine-growing districts and to spread as these 

 were extended, though it certainly does not feed upon grapes. 

 But it is found equally in countries where vineyards are 

 unknown, and is then a denizen of corn-fields and of the 

 fences or hedges, if such there be, that surround them, so 

 that the real cause of its partiality for either kind of agri- 

 culture remains to be discovered. Even so near to us as 

 Holland it has been said by several authors to be rare, but 

 the Editor knows that in some parts of that country, and 

 especially near Valkenswaerd, it must be plentiful, from the 

 number of eggs he has received thence. It would also seem 

 that there are districts in which it is abundant in one year 

 and in another almost wanting, and a misconception of this 

 perhaps has given rise to the belief entertained by some that 

 it is a species which is extending its range. Found sporadically 

 throughout Germany it does not seem to penetrate further 

 into Russia than its south-western Governments, and whether 

 it is to be deemed an inhabitant of the Asiatic territories 

 of that power depends chiefly on the value assigned to 

 the distinguishing characters of a nearly-allied form the 

 Emberiza shah* of Bonaparte, which, originally described 

 from Persia, reaches the river Obi in summer, retreating 

 in winter to India. The true Ortolan however seems to be 

 abundant in the Caucasus and to reach Elburz. It is said 

 also to have been found at Erzeroom and is possibly spread 

 throughout Asia Minor. In Palestine it is very abundant 

 and breeds. In Egypt it is a bird-of-passage, and in winter 



* This seems to be identical with the E. cerrutii of De Filippi, and whether 

 both names may not also be synonyms of E. buckanani, the ordinai-y Indian 

 form, the Editor has no means of ascertaining. 



