378 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



721. Euspiza melanocephala, Gmelin. 



Emberlza, apud Gmelin — Sykes, Cat. 101 — Jerdon, Cat, 

 179 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 172 — E. simillima, Blyth, 

 J. A. S. XVIII. 811— Blyth, Cat. 703 and 709— Horsf., Cat. 

 737 — Gandam, H. 



The Black-headed Bunting. 



Descr. — Whole head, including the ear-coverts, black, the 

 feathers generally (i. e. in winter) edged light brown, this dis- 

 appearing towards spring ; back and scapulars rich chesnut, 

 passing to yellowish on the rump and upper tail-covert, the 

 feathers being edged with bright yellow ; wings and tail brown, 

 with pale edgings to all the feathers; beneath, from the chin to the 

 vent, bright yellow, passing behind the ear-coverts to the nape ; 

 the side of breast chesnut, continuous with the color of the back. 



Length lh to 8 inches ; wing 3/jj to 4 ; tail 3 ; bill at front T 5 n ; 

 tarsus - 1 ° Ti . 



The black-headed Bunting is found in India, only in the 

 North-western Provinces, most abundant in the Deccan, and 

 thence extending to the Upper Provinces of Hindustan. It makes 

 its appearance in the Deccan usually about the end of November ; 

 is found in immense flocks, and is very destructive to the crops 

 of Jowaree, and other grains. It leaves early in March, and 

 certainly does not breed in any part of India. It is a well known 

 bird in Asia Minor, and the South-east of Europe, and is 

 occasionally killed in France and Germany. Tristram states that 

 it breeds in Corfu, frequenting brushwood on hill sides, and has 

 an agreeable song. Drummond remarks that it builds often in the 

 stump of an old vine, and that, in Crete, they seem to be confined 

 to certain localities where they breed. 



Blyth was misled by a small specimen to separate it from the 

 European species, and Horsfield has followed Blyth in making it 

 distinct. This latter naturalist now admits its identity with the 

 European bird. 



722. Euspiza luteola, Sparrman. 



Blyth, Cat. 710— Horsf., Cat. 738— E. icterica, Evers- 

 Gen. Bir ds, pi. 91 — E. brunniceps, Brandt— E. 



