This bird is really very distinct from E. cia ; and Bonaparte's remark that it is allied to E. leucocephala 

 rather than to the last-named bird, is not inapt; it is distinguished, however, from both by its uniform 

 chestnut head and white throat. The female may also be recognized by its chestnut ear-coverts. 



7703. castaneiceps, Gould, P. Z. S. 1855, p. 215. 

 cioides, p., Aliq. 



The type of this species appears to be in the Indian Museum ; and Mr. Moore has given a full account of 

 it in the catalogue of the collection therein contained (ii. p. 484). We can only say that this description 

 perfectly agrees with a specimen of E. cioides in breeding-plumage lent us by Lord Walden, in every par- 

 ticular. The measurements, however, of the typical specimen are somewhat smaller, excepting the tarsus, 

 which tallies with Lord Walden's bird. Notwithstanding this discrepancy, we believe that a comparison will 

 prove the identity of E. castaneiceps with E. cioides. 



7704. ciopsis, Bonap. Gen. Av. i. p. 466. 



cioides, Temm. & Schl. Faun. Japon. p. 98, pi. 59. 

 This bird is the representative of E. cia and E. cioides in Japan. Lord Walden has lent us two specimens, 

 both males, procured in this country by Mr. H. Whitely and Mr. Robert Bergman. They show that E. ciopsis 

 is a clearly characterized species, distinguished at once from E. cia by its chestnut crown, while from E. cioides 

 it differs in having the throat grey and the ear-coverts black, not chestnut as in the Siberian bird. There are 

 also some brownish mottlings on the upper breast, which seem to be absent in the latter species. 



7705. gigliolii, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1867, p. 393. 



This is now admitted by Mr. Swinhoe (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 388) to be identical with 7704. 



7706. steivarti, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiii. p. 215. 

 caniceps, Gould, B. As. pt. vi. 



For an examination of a fine series of this beautiful little Bunting we are again indebted to the kindness 

 of Lord Walden, who has several specimens from Umballah in winter-plumage. There are also three specimens, 

 from Cashmere, Chergaon, and Kokand, in full summer-dress, and revealing the curious fact that this species 

 has an entirely different livery in winter and summer ; for whereas in winter the plumage is obscured by dull- 

 coloured margins to the feathers, and the back is streaked as in ordinary Buntings, in summer not only the 

 hoary edgings to the feathers disappear, but even the streaks on the back vanish, and this latter part becomes 

 uniform chestnut like the chest. We know of no other Bunting which goes through these curious and distinct 

 changes of plumage. 



7707. albida, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xviii. pt, 2, p. 1811. 

 pithyornis, p., Jerdon, B. of Ind. ii. p. 370. 



Dr. Jerdon is doubtless right in referring this species to 7700. 



We have retained the name of Meadow-Bunting for this species, as the bird is well known by 

 that appellation ; but we must remark that, like many ornithological terms, this title is a decided 

 misnomer ; for this Bunting is by no means an inhabitant of meadow-land, as will be seen by the 

 notes on its habits given below. 



It is essentially an inhabitant of Southern Europe, never having occurred in Scandinavia or, 

 as far as is known, in the British Islands. Our friend Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has, indeed, lent us 

 a specimen said to have been procured at Dover in January 1859 ; but no authentic details as to 

 its capture have ever been published, and there is every reason to doubt the authenticity of the 

 specimen. In France MM. Degland and Gerbe write that it is common and sedentary in some 

 parts of Provence and migratory in others. It passes through Lorraine and the north of France ; 

 some few individuals have been captured near Paris. MM. Jaubert and Barthelemy Lapom- 

 meraye record it as a regular and common migrant in Provence, where it is found in the autumn 



