BRITISH BIRDS. 215 



(|)f fl)c Bunting. 



THE principal difference between this kind and 

 the Finch, consists in the formation of the bill, 

 which in the Bunting is of a very singular con- 

 struction. The two mandibles are moveable, and 

 the edges of each bend inwards; the opening of 

 the mouth is not in a straight line as in other 

 birds, but at the base the junction is formed by 

 an obtuse angle in the lower mandible, nearly 

 one-third of its length, which is received by a 

 corresponding" angle in the upper one ; in the 

 latter there is a strong knob, of great use in 

 breaking the harder kinds of seeds and kernels, 

 on which it feeds. The tongue is narrow, and 

 tapers to a point like a tooth-pick; the first joint 

 of the outer toe is joined to that of the middle 

 one. 



