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is not unlike that of this bird. Dresser found it numerous in the neighbourhood of Barcelona, 

 where it frequented the cactus hedges, flying, when disturbed, from plant to plant, and often 

 perching on the very top of the cacti uttering its call-note, zi zi zi. It appears that here this 

 species chiefly affects the hill-sides and barren dry places, where but few small stunted bushes are 

 scattered about ; but in some parts of Europe, as on the Rhine and in Southern Austria, it has 

 been found frequenting the vineyards; and Naumann, in his notes on its habits, states that it 

 inhabits the fertile valleys; this, however, is contrary to the experiences of Dresser and Major 

 Irby in Spain. It feeds on various seeds, chiefly of wild plants, but probably also to some extent 

 on insects, at least during the early part of the summer season. 



Eggs of this Bunting in Dresser's collection are very easily distinguishable from those of 

 other Emberiziclae by the continuous markings, which appear as if they were made with a pen, and 

 all drawn without taking the pen from the surface of the egg. In colour they are pale grey, and 

 are marked with continuous wavy irregular lines, chiefly at the larger end, of a blackish brown 

 and a faint purple tinge, the former apparently overlying the latter. In size they measure 

 to by &% °f an inch. In character they approach closest to the eggs of the Cirl Bunting ; but 

 the markings are, as above stated, different. 



Dr. Bey writes to us that he has measured fourteen eggs of this species, from Southern 

 France, Greece, Macedonia, and Asia Minor, which averaged 20 - 9 by 16-4, the largest measuring 

 22*5 by 16*5 and the smallest 20 - 5 by 15'25 millimetres respectively. According to Loche it 

 breeds also in Algeria ; to Brehm, in Spain ; and to Brahts, on the Rhine. 



The figures in the Plate represent an adult male and female, and a young male from Spain 

 collected by Dresser : they are not in full summer plumage ; and consequently brighter-looking 

 specimens will often be met with. The adults described are a pair in full breeding-plumage in 

 Lord Lilford's collection, obtained near Smyrna by Dr. Kriiper. 



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



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a, ? . Mountains near Algeciraz (L. H. Irby) . b, c, d, e, f. Barcelona, February 1866 (H. E. Dresser) . 

 g, <5 ■ Piedmont, November 1868 (T. Salvadori). h. Rustchuk, Turkey (C. Farmari). i, 6. Ortakeuy, 

 Turkey, December 16th, 1869 (T. Robson). j, k, I, m. Mount Olympus, Macedonia, October and 

 November 1869 (Dr. Kriiper). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 



a, 3. Germany (Fraser). b. Genoa (//. Saunders), c, 6. Ortakeuy, Turkey, November 3rd, 1865 (T. 

 Robson) . d, S ■ N. Africa ( Verreaux) . 



E Mus. A. Basil Brooke, 

 a, <S . Riviera, N. Italy, spring of 1869 (Victor A. Brooke), b, 6 . Granada (H. Saunders). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 



a, $ . Germany, b, 3. K'sour, Algeria, January 28th, 1857 (H. B. T.). c, <S . Pass of Afka, Lebanon, 

 June 18th, 1864 (H. B. T.). d, ? . Carmel, November 15th, 1863 (H. B. T.). 



5f 



