214 



stripe is exhibited. The male has a little white on the inner web of the third tail-feather, which does 

 not appear in the specimen described by us. These birds are in Lord Lilford's collection. 



The present bird has much in common with the Ortolan ; but at the same time we cannot under- 

 stand how, by many good naturalists, it has been considered to be only a variety of that species. 

 Nor is it a Fringillaria, in which genus many authors have placed it; for it does not agree 

 generically, and is different in its habits, as the following note of Dr. Tristram's will testify. In 

 'The Ibis' for 1859 (p. 34) he writes as follows concerning the present species:- — "In its habits 

 and actions it is very different from its Algerian congener, Emberiza saharce, which it so nearly 

 resembles in form and plumage, avoiding buildings, and not, as far as I am aware, perching on 

 stones or walls." Emberiza saharce, on the contrary, is a true Fringillaria, and belongs to the 

 same group as F. septemstriata, F. tahapisi, &c. It is evident, therefore, that the true position of 

 Emberiza cassia is among the true Buntings, in close proximity to E. hortulana and E. huttoni. 



Cretzschmar's Bunting appears to have comparatively a limited range ; and we have been 

 unable clearly to define its exact line of migration ; but its winter home is probably the interior 

 of North-eastern Africa, while in Europe it is common during summer in the south-eastern 

 portions, only occurring as a straggler in the countries to the westward bordering the Mediter- 

 ranean basin. Jaubert and Barthelemy de la Pommeraye state that about six or seven instances 

 of its occurrence near Marseilles have come under their notice, while as long ago as 1825 Roux 

 had included it among the birds of Provence, mistaking it, however, for a variety of E. cia. 

 Baron J. W. von Miiller says that it does not come regularly in the Camargue, but appears 

 sometimes in small numbers, always in spring. Malherbe quotes a single instance of its 

 occurrence in Sicily, and refers at the same time to a notice by Temminck of a specimen killed 

 near Vienna. Von der Miihle and Lindermayer have included it in the avifauna of Greece, 

 where it is not uncommon ; and Dr. Kriiper procured it on Naxos, where it " breeds in desert 

 places on the mountains." Messrs. Schrader and Kriiper have also sent numerous specimens 

 from Smyrna. We have also seen examples from Bulgaria, whence also Dresser has received 

 eggs of the present species, though it is not included by Messrs. Elwes and Buckley in their list 

 of the ' Birds of Turkey.' In Palestine Dr. Tristram found it abundant. Throughout the whole 

 of the above-mentioned localities Emberiza cassia is a summer visitant, and appears also as a 

 straggler in Algeria, according to Loche. 



With regard to its occurrence in North-eastern Africa, Dr. Th. von Heuglin writes as 

 follows : — 



" We observed this Bunting more particularly in small flocks in Lower Egypt in March or 

 early in April. They generally frequent the borders of the desert and cultivated ground, and 

 are particularly to be met with on dunes, heaps of rubbish, on hedges, &c, sometimes in 

 company with Emberiza hortulana. They occasionally breed in the Delta, and near Cairo, in 

 olive-gardens. From the beginning of September they are to be met with along the Nile and in 

 Arabia and Abyssinia, generally in flocks. According to Brehm it is very common along the 

 Blue Nile in November ; and Miihle states that it is the commonest Bunting in Greece, where it 

 arrives in April with Stonechats, Blue Thrushes, and Owls ; it inhabits the most desolate rocky 

 hills." 



