Blackheaded Bunting. 189' 



in Germany, Grauammer ; in Spain (where it is pronounced by 

 Howard Saunders to be ' the most abundant bird in Andalusia,"" 

 and the ' number of it brought into the markets to equal that of 

 all the larks, sparrows, and thrushes put together'), it is known 

 as Ti'iguero, ' Corn-merchant.' 



75. BLACK-HEADED BUNTING (Emberiza schcenidus). 



Called also the Reed Bunting from the localities it frequents,, 

 and the Reed Sparrow from its general resemblance to our 

 common House Sparrow. In Sweden, Sdf Sparf or ' Sedge 

 Sparrow;' in France, Bruant de rosean ; in Germany, Rohr- 

 ammer ; and its scientific name schceniclas is also derived from 

 the Greek a^o/vo:, ' a rush or reed.' This bright handsome bird 

 may be met with sparingly wherever there is water ; indeed, I 

 have often seen it frequenting a dry ditch, and have found its- 

 nest at some distance from the nearest stream : it delights, 

 however, in moist wet places, abounding in sedge and reeds and 

 coarse grass, and here you may generally see its black head 

 standing out in contrast with its white collar. 



Harting says that he has seen it, when in pursuit of food,, 

 walk into the water, like a true wader, until the water reached 

 above the tarsus.* It is resident with us throughout the year, 

 but (as with so many of our residents) its numbers are reinforced 

 in winter by arrivals from abroad. In winter the male loses its- 

 black head, and comes forth in March bright in nuptial array. 

 It is notorious for the clever manoeuvres it displays in alluring 

 the intruder from its nest, just as the Lapwing, and the 

 Partridge, and some others do, shuffling along on the ground, 

 trailing its wings, or dragging its leg as if broken, and all to 

 entice the unwelcome visitor from dangerous proximity to its 

 young. 



76. YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza citrinetta). 



Well known to everybody as the Yellow Hammer, though here 

 we have an instance of a general error so universally propagated 

 ' Birds of Middlesex,' p. 76. 



