iSS 



cassell's book of birds. 



innumerable squabbles, though these rarely become serious. On the approach of winter, the flocks 

 are compelled to seek their food in the neighbouring fields and farmyards, their visits being by no 

 means welcome to the proprietors, who, nevertheless,, but rarely take any means to protect themselves 

 against such petty marauders. 



THE ORTOLAN OR GARDEN BUNTING (Emberiza- Glycyspina hortuland). 



THE ORTOLAN. 

 The Ortolan, or Garden Bunting (Glycy spina hortuland), is a member of this family; in 

 size it is somewhat smaller than the Golden Bunting, its body not measuring more than six inches 

 in length ; the span of its wings is about ten inches, the wings three inches, and the tail two and a half 

 inches. The female is not quite so large as her mate. Among the Ortolans the sexes are but little 

 distinguishable by their plumage, in which a reddish brown generally predominates. The head, nape, 

 and front of the neck are grey, the throat, stripe upon the cheeks, and a small circle round the eyes of 

 a straw colour. The back is marked with long dark streaks, the wing-quills are brown, the secondaries 

 being bordered with light brown, and the rest with light red, as are also the tail-feathers ; the exterior 

 tail-feathers have a long white patch upon their inner web. The plumage of the female is spotted and 



