EMBER1ZA MILIARIA. 107 



Points of bill crossing each other. 



Adult male. General colour red, brightest on rump ; but sometimes 

 breeds in yellow plumage of female, very faintly streaked with red in a few 

 places. 



Female. Olive-yellow where red in male, brightest on rump. 



Young. Like female, but streaked above and below with dark brown. 

 Length (3 inches. 



The so-called Parrot Crossbill (L. pityopsittacus) is a Northern form of 

 the Common Crossbill, with the bill very much stouter, and is usually a 

 larger bird. 



118. Emberiza miliaria, Linnaeus. The Corn-Bunting. 



Moorish. Dorrais (Favier}. Spanish. Triguero ; Ave tonta. 



This well-known bird is exceedingly numerous on both sides of 

 the Straits, and, being to a great extent migratory, is perhaps 

 least plentiful in winter. From their fearless stupidity and 

 conspicuous habit of perching on the top of some small bush or 

 plant, vast quantities are killed by the Spaniards and exposed for 

 sale in the markets, being excellent food, while during the winter 

 months a great many are caught roosting on the ground by the 

 aid of the lantern. 



The Common Bunting commences to lay about the first week 

 in May, often placing the nest at the edge of marshes ; and I 

 have taken it in the midst of a swamp, placed on a dry tussock, 

 within a yard of a nest of Savi's Warbler. Verner remarks that 

 eggs of this Bunting " appear to undergo extraordinary variations 

 in S. Spain. I have found many about the vega of La Janda, 

 totally unlike any I have ever seen in England, but of the 

 authenticity of which I had no doubt." 



There is a country fable to the effect that the Hoopoe on first 

 arrival in Spain had no place to go to, and bought or hired some 

 land from the Bunting ; but when the time for payment arrived, 

 "Poo, poo," said the Hoopoe, and flew away repeating his cry. 

 Ever since then the Bunting is continually and monotonously 

 complaining of the Hoopoe, and in vain asking for his money. 



