156 



6 



Eggs of this species in Dresser's collection, obtained in Greece and near Smyrna by Dr. 

 Kriiper, measure from f § by f^ to ff by ff of an inch, and in colour are of a delicate pale blue, 

 with a slight greenish tinge, spotted all over (though generally more profusely round the larger 

 end of the egg) with faint purplish underlying spots, and light or dark brown surface spots. 

 Unlike eggs of other Buntings, those of this species are totally without the hieroglyphic-like 

 scratching^ so characteristic of the eggs of the true Bunting. Dr. E. B.ey writes us that fifty eggs 

 collected in Greece, now in his possession, average in size 22 - 5 by 16*1 millimetres, the largest 

 measuring 25 - by 16-5, and the smallest 19-3 by 15 - 7 millimetres respectively. He very justly 

 remarks on the great dissimilarity between the eggs of this species and those of the typical 

 Buntings, and thinks that this alone shows that it ought to be generically divided from them. 



The accompanying account of the habits of the bird is taken from Professor Doderlein's 

 work on the avifauna of Modena and Sicily : — " The Black-headed Ortolan arrives on the coast 

 of Dalmatia about the middle of April, and takes up its quarters in the wooded plains and the 

 vicinity of the districts where grain is cultivated. In the beginning of May it makes its nest, 

 which it places in a tuft or bush, or at the foot of low trees, or amongst the crops and under- 

 growth, laying four or five eggs of a greyish white with brownish streaks. I think it lays twice, 

 especially if the first clutch has been taken. During incubation the male takes up his station on 

 the summit of a neighbouring tree, and thence emits a strong, vibrating, and monotonous note, 

 which may be expressed by cirririri-ciriri. It has also a querulous note, common to the female, 

 which is frequently repeated when in fear, and which may be rendered by cid cid. When 

 disturbed from its post on the tree-top, it skims the fields with a low regular flight, until it 

 meets with a similar perch, to which it rises suddenly, and there resumes its monotonous song. 

 This bird does great damage in the fields of grain, where it shucks out the ears when nearly ripe, 

 and wastes much more than it eats. About the middle of July it begins to take its departure, 

 and by the beginning of August none remain. It is very impatient of captivity, and even when 

 taken from the nest rarely survives the time of the autumn migration ; still I have seen excep- 

 tional individuals brought to Genoa and Trieste." 



The descriptions are taken from specimens in our own collection, procured by Dr. Kriiper 

 in Asia Minor. The figures also represent birds in our own possession, and it is to be noted 

 that the female is a young bird, and therefore the adult hen of the present species would appear 

 much more yellow underneath, and not so spotted. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a, (5 . Asia Minor, May 28th, 1865 (Robson). b. Ortakeuy hills, May 5th, 1870 (Robson). c. Macedonia, 



June 8th, 1869 (Dr. Kriiper). d, 6 , pull. Smyrna, June 15th, 1871 (Dr. Kriiper). e,f. Smyrna, 



May 9th, 1863 (L. Schrader and Dr. Kriiper). g, h, i,j. Smyrna, May 7th, June 19th and 20th, and 



July 8th, 1871 (Dr. Kriiper). k. Volga (Moeschler). I, m, n. N.W. Provinces of India (A. O. Hume), 

 o. Banias, Palestine, May 5th, 1864 (H. B. Tristram). 



E. Mus. Howard Saunders. 

 a, b. Smyrna, May 5th and July, 1863 (Dr. Kriiper). 



