348 EMBERIZA 



In habits it is said to resemble E. miliaria and frequents 

 cornfields and cultivated ground, usually on the plains, and not 

 in the hills. The nest is placed in a low bush or on the ground, 

 and is constructed of dried grass, plant-stems, and shreds of 

 bark, and lined with hair. The eggs 3 to 4 in number are 

 deposited in May or June and are pale greenish grey, spotted 

 streaked or blotched, often more profusely at the larger end, 

 with sepia brown, and these markings are not unfrequently 

 reduced to small dots. In size they average about 0'83 by O64. 

 They resemble those of E. mdanocepliala but are as a rule 

 smaller. 



505. CHESTNUT BUNTING. 

 EMBERIZA RUTILA. 



Eniberiza rutila, Pall. Reis. Russ. Reiclis, iii. p. 698 (1776) ; Temm. 



and Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Aves, pi. 56e ; (David and Oust.), Ois. 



Chine, p. 331 ; Gates, F. Brit. Incl. Birds, ii. p. 263 ; Sharpe, Cat. 



B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 514 ; (Tacz.), F. O. Sib. 0. p. 607. 

 ad. (China). Upper parts, including the wing-coverts and external 

 margins of inner secondaries, head, neck to the upper breast rich chestnut- 

 red ; many of the feathers with narrow yellowish margins ; under parts 

 yellow the flanks striped with chestnut and chestnut-brown ; remiges and 

 rectrices dark brown with paler margins ; bill dark horn but paler below ; 

 legs pale yellowish brown ; iris brown. Culmeii 0'5, wing 275, tail 2'4, 

 tarsus 0'7 inch. The female has the upper parts olivaceous brown striped 

 with blackish brown, the crown tinged with chestnut, the rump unstriped 

 chestnut-red ; chin and throat dull white, the sides and lower throat 

 marked with chestnut ; rest of under parts as in the male but somewhat 

 duller. The young bird is brown above and pale yellowish below, above 

 and below striped with dark brown. 



Hob. Eastern Siberia and N. China wintering in S. China, 

 Siam, and Eastern India ; has been once recorded from Japan. 

 During the breeding season it may generally be found amongst 

 the bushes on the borders of the forest, but in the winter it 

 frequents the reed-beds. According to Godlevsky its song is 

 short and insignificant, but Abbe David states that it is 

 pleasant and sustained and that the Chinese value it as a cage- 

 bird on account of its song. It breeds in N. China and eastern 

 Siberia late in May or early in June, the nest, which is placed 

 on the ground amongst the grass, is somewhat slightly con- 

 structed of dry plant-stems, and lined with horsehair. The eggs 

 are sandy yellowish, with brownish grey shell-markings and pale 

 olivaceous surface-markings, marked also with a few black 

 scratches and lines. In general tone of colour they are yellowish 



