250 OUR NAim: SO^'GSTEIlS. 



The Great Pipit, or Richard's Pipit [Anthis 

 Richardi,) though claiming, from its occasional 

 visits, and its sweet song, a short notice, can hardly 

 be called a British bird. It is a rare straggler to 

 the south of England. It is much like the meadow 

 species in manners and habits, though a larger 

 bird, and its summer and winter changes of 

 plumage precisely similar. It is found in the 

 warmer countries of Europe, but is truly a native 

 of Africa. 



Before passing onwards tlie Buntings require 

 -some mention, for although they are no great 

 singers, they contribute in some small degi'ee to 

 the pleasant sounds of nature. These birds are 

 distinguished from most of our small birds by a 

 knob on the upper part of the bill, which they use 

 as an anvil, on which to break nuts, grain, or other 

 seeds. These and insects constitute their food. 



Everybody knows the common Yellow Bunting, 

 or Yellow Ammer* [Emheriza citn'tiella), whose 

 bright yellow plumage is to be seen ever}^where 



* The Yellow Ammer is seven inches in length. Head and 

 neck bright yellow, spotted with black; upper parts reddish- 

 brown, spotted with yellow ; wings and tail dusky black, edged 

 with yellow ; whole under parts bright yellow, spotted on the 

 breast with reddish-brown ; beak bluish-grey ; feet pale broAvn. 



