PERCHING BIRDS. 99 



ground, and generally with very little attempt at con- 

 cealment. This species seems to be subject to variation 

 of plumage chiefly a large admixture of white those 

 I have seen having a dappled appearance ; but I met 

 with one in December, 1859, at Clipstone, which was 

 entirely white, with the exception of two or three slight 

 markings of brown on the back. 



The flight of the common bunting lacks buoyancy, 

 and consists of a series of undulations caused by the 

 momentary closing of the wings, alternating with a few 

 somewhat laboured flappings. It is by far the largest 

 of the family, and is not by any means to be despised 

 when well cooked. 



In suitable spots the Black-headed Bunting, or reed 

 sparrow (E. schceniclus), is frequent ; the change from 

 the dusky hue to the deep velvety black on the head of 

 the male, is one of the earliest signs of the approach of 

 spring, and in this, his nuptial dress, the male is really 

 a handsome bird. I have always found its nest^on the 

 ground most frequently nea_the bank of the stream, 

 sometimes at the foot of ajbush, at others amongst reeds 

 and coarse high grass but I never saw any attempt at 



A 



suspension. 



The eggs do not offer much variety ; the ground- 

 colour is generally a pale dirty brown, with a bluish or 

 purplish tinge, and marked with distinct spots and 

 curved lines of blackish or purple-brown, chiefly at the 

 larger end ; their shape is very similar to those of the 

 yellowhammer, but the smaller end is rather more 

 taper. 



The vocal powers of the black -headed bunting do not 

 attain to the dignity of song ; two or three short notes, 

 followed by one rather prolonged, in the manner of the 



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