168 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



in common to distinguish them from the Buntings, and some of them, 

 amongst which is probably the type, belonging to a really distinct genus. 



During winter the Black-headed Bunting is found in large flocks 

 (generally in company with the Red-headed Banting), which do great 

 damage to the wheat and other grain-crops of Western India. Whilst 

 passing through Scinde on migration, it has been observed not only to feed 

 on corn but on the pollen of the flowers of the wild caper, which covers 

 wide tracts of waste ground in that country. 



The adult male Black-headed Bunting in breeding-plumage has the head, 

 lores, and ear-coverts black ; the wings are brown, with pale brown tips to 

 the coverts and broad pale edges to the innermost secondaries ; the tail is 

 uniform brown, without the white spots to the outside feathers, a character 

 which will distinguish it at all ages and in both sexes from the Yellow Hammer 

 and Girl Bunting. The rest of the upper parts is chestnut, which extends 

 to the sides of the breast. The remainder of the underparts is brilliant 

 sulphur-yellow, which extends round the ear-coverts and obscurely to 

 the nape. Bill greyish lead-colour ; legs, feet, and claws pale brown ; 

 irides hazel. The female possesses none of the brilliant colours of the 

 male : the general colour of the upper parts is brown, streaked with dark 

 brown, and slightly suffused with yellow on the rump; the underparts 

 are pale brown, slightly suffused with yellow on the belly and under tail- 

 coverts. The adult male in autumn plumage somewhat resembles the 

 female, all the brilliant feathers being obscured by having a dull grey 

 margin ; and the rump is more or less suffused with yellow. In males of 

 the year distinct traces of the autumn plumage are retained throughout 

 the summer. Young in first plumage very closely resemble the female. 



