i5 



EMBERIZA MILIARIA. 



Syst. Nat. 304. 



THE COMMON BUNTING, 



PLATE XV. 



X he bill is large, thick, sharp pointed, and of an horn 

 colour. The lower chap has a remarkable rising angle 

 on the side, which rests on the outside of the upper 

 chap when the mouth is shut. The eyes are brown, 

 having a narrow circle of white round the eye-lids. 



The head is large, covered with feathers of a dusky 

 olive or lark colour, each having a dark-coloured line 

 along the shaft. 



The back and rump are the same colour with the 

 head, only they are darker along the middle of the 

 feathers. 



The quill feathers of the wings are dusky, edged 

 with a pale brown. The covert feathers are also dusky, 

 with broad borders of a pale bright brown. 



The tail is a little forked, consisting of twelve 

 feathers of a dusky black, with pale brown edges. 



The throat, breast, and belly, are of a dull white, 

 with a dark stroke down the middle of each feather. 

 These dark spots are more black and distinct on the 

 throat and breast. On the belly they become narrow 

 and faint, and disappear below the thighs. 



The legs and feet are of a pale horn colour. The 

 claws crooked, black, and sharp. 



The Bunting feeds on grain, and is particularly fond 

 of the black oat, an ear of which he will snap off with 

 his bill, and taking it to the next wall, will hold it with 

 his foot, while he shells off the hull, and eats the grain. 



