216 THE COMMON, OK CORN .BUNTING. 



means of their ordinary short note. They are generally more 

 shy than Chaffinches, but less so than the Corn Buntings." 



92. THE COMMON, OR CORN BUNTING. 



Emberiza Miliaria, LINN. Proyer, BUF. Der Gerstenammer, BECH. 



Description. This bird, which is found throughout Europe 

 and the northern parts of Asia, has not even the recommenda- 

 tions for a Cage-bird possessed by the last mentioned, as it is 

 distinguished neither for beauty of plumage nor of song. It is 

 rather larger than a Skylark, to which in colour it bears a 

 strong resemblance, being seven inches and a half in length, 

 of which the tail measures three inches. The beak is short 

 and thick, six lines in length, and, like the feet, greyish brown, 

 though in summer the lower mandible is yellow. The feet are 

 ten lines high. The whole upper part of the body is a pale 

 reddish grey, the lower part yellowish white, both, as in the 

 Lark, being spotted with blackish brown. The pen and tail 

 feathers are dark brown, the exterior tail feathers having on 

 them a wedge-shaped whitish spot. 



The female is somewhat lighter. 



Habitat. In some parts of Germany this bird is very com- 

 mon throughout the year ; others are only visited by it, in its 

 passages from northern countries, where it cannot survive the 

 winter's cold. In March it may be seen in company with the 

 Larks. It prefers the level country to the woods, and in 

 meadows, or by the side of roads, may often be noticed perched 

 on a willow tree, a large boundary stone, or even a clod. 



When confined, it may either be allowed to range the room, 

 or be kept in a large Lark's cage. 



Food. When wild, its food is the same as that of the Yel- 

 lowhammer ; in the aviary it may be fed on oats, millet, and 

 the usual diet. It is, however, a more delicate bird than the 

 Yellowhammer. 



Breeding. The Corn Bunting usually builds among the long 

 grass, underneath bushes, but the nest does not rest upon the 

 ground. It is constructed of grass stalks, and lined with hair. 

 It generally contains four or five eggs, ashen grey in colour, 

 marked with spots and stripes of black and reddish brown. 



Mode of Taking. In autumn this bird may be taken in the 

 barn-floor trap, by help of a decoy; in spring with a bird-call; 

 in winter, near a barn or stable, by a net, or limed twigs. 



