84 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Most British authorities now consider this form to be 

 only entitled to sub-specific rank. Mr. Saunders says 

 "the only difference of any moment between the European 

 and American forms consists in the darker scapulars of 

 the latter : to which I may add that the red in the male 

 has a pinker tint, and the bill in both sexes is weaker." 

 Three examples have been taken in England. 



Sub-Family Smberizinae. 



GENUS XLVII. EMBERIZA, Linn&us (1766). 

 Bill short, conical ; palate usually having a small bony 

 projection. Tail moderately long, a little forked. Wings 

 with ist primary absolute. Tarsus moderate, covered with 

 scales in front and laterally with a single plate, sharply 

 ridged behind ; hind claws moderate, curved. 



103. Emberiza melanoeephala, Seopoli. 



BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 



Hab. S.E. Europe, Asia Minor, Palestine and Persia ; 

 wintering in Northern India. Straggles on migration to 

 rest of Europe. 



Three occurrences are on record, i.e., one near Brighton 

 (1868), a second in Nottinghamshire (1884), and a third 

 in Dunfermline 



104. Emberiza miliaria, Linn. CORN-BUNTING. 



Hab. Western Palaearctic region, north to Baltic and 

 South Norway. Partially migratory in winter. 



Male : feathers above light brown, with narrow dusky 

 centres ; wings dusky-brown, with pale buff margins 

 to greater and lesser coverts ; tail-feathers dark brown, 

 with paler margins; through and above eye a pale buff 

 stripe ; below buffish-white, throat bordered each side by 



