190 cassell's book of birds. 



the red bunting. 

 The Red Bunting or Meadow Bunting (Ernbcrisa-Glycyspina da) is, in our opinion, a more 

 beautiful species than the much-prized Ortolan, its plumage being as noticeable for its elegant markings 

 as for the brilliancy of its colours. The principal tint is reddish brown ; the throat, head, and upper 

 part of the breast are of a delicate grey ; the cheeks and ears are surrounded by a black ring, which is 

 enclosed by two white lines, the back is marked by a series of spots running in stripes, and the wings 

 are ornamented with two light borders. The markings in the plumage of the female are less distinct, 

 and her throat lighter and more spotted than in the case of her mate. The iris is dark brown, and 

 the beak blueish black upon the upper mandible, the lower mandible is light blue, and the feet are 

 horn colour. The length of this bird is about six and a half inches, its breadth nine and a half 

 inches, and the wing and tail two and three-quarter inches. The female is not quite so large. 

 The Red Bunting is an inhabitant of the South, only frequenting such parts of Germany as are 

 watered by the Rhine ; but is numerous in Austria, Spain, Italy, and Greece, spreading from these 

 countries over Asia, till it reaches the Himalaya Mountains, where we hear it is very constantly met 

 with ; indeed, our own observations lead us to suppose that this species prefers mountain districts, 

 avoiding open plains, and is an inhabitant of the Swiss Alps. There can be no question that 

 precipices abounding with large fragments of stone afford a most acceptable shelter for the purpose 

 of incubation, and in such localities it disports itself much in the same fashion as its congeners, 

 but is rarely seen perching elsewhere. In its flight, general habits, and song, it is a true 

 Bunting. The nest is generally built on and about rocks, or in fissures of the walls that surround 

 the vineyards, with which the sides of the mountains are frequently covered. The eggs, three or four 

 in number, are greyish black surrounded with grey lines, often arranged like a girdle round the 

 middle, thus distinguishing them from those of the Yellow Bunting. [For drawings of the eggs of this 

 species and of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) see Coloured Plate IV.] The parent birds breed 

 twee in the season, and when the period of incubation is over join the large flocks of their com- 

 panions, with whom they pass the rest of the year. 



THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 



The Black-headed Bunting (Euspiza mdanocephala), an inhabitant of the south-eastern por- 

 tion of Europe, and of a large portion of South-western Asia, is one of the most beautiful of the many 

 species belonging to this extensive family. It is recognisable by its elongated beak, furnished with a 

 long sharp protuberance under its roof, and by the more uniform coloration of its plumage, which 

 differs -widely in the two sexes. The Black-headed Bunting is seven inches long, and eleven and a half 

 across the wings, the wings and tail measuring about three inches in length. The head of the male is 

 jet-black, the back rust-red, the whole of the under part of the body of a golden colour, and the 

 wings and tail dark brown. The female is without the black hood, the bridles are greyish brown, the 

 back reddish grey, each feather being bordered with a lighter shade, and having a dark shaft ; the 

 under part of the body is pale yellow, and the throat of a whitish hue ; the quills, wings, and tail- 

 covers are dark brown, edged with a lighter tint, or with brownish white ; the beak is light blue, and 

 the feet of a deep flesh colour. 



The Black-headed Buntings commence their migrations about the month of November, and very 

 shortly after leaving Europe make their appearance in the Deccan, and upper provinces of Hindostan, 

 assembling there in large flocks, and making terrible havoc in the corn-fields, until the time returns for 

 carrying on their work of destruction in our part of the world, where, on their arrival, they may be seen 

 perching in crowds upon the sea shore, as they alight to rest after their long and arduous flight. We 



