221 



Redbreast, chiefly the latter, by the fine, lengthened, melancholy notes, which, however, are never 

 so loud as in the song of this Warbler, but can best be compared to those of a young practising 

 Redbreast. It is therefore incomprehensible to me how Radde, who had repeated opportunities 

 of observing this Bunting, could say of it, ' The pleasant song reminds me somewhat of that of 

 Fr. ccelebs, only it betrays the well-known Bunting-like rhythm.' 



" I am certain that this Bunting is sometimes caught here amongst others, but generally 

 falls into the hands of ignorant people, who, in its plain winter dress, overlook it or mistake it 

 for the Reed Bunting, which, in this garb, it is not unlike." 



Mr. Robson, of Ortakeny, Turkey, has favoured us with the following note : — 



" This species is very rare in Turkey, Asia Minor, and Europe, and I have never seen more 

 than two or three in a season ; some seasons none occur. They feed and are taken amongst 

 other species of Emberizidce in the autumn migration ; and amongst hundreds of other Buntings 

 that are captured, only one or two of this species are met with. The female is a plain-coloured 

 bird, much greyer than the male." 



The Plate is drawn from a fine pair in breeding-plumage, procured by Radde at Turka, on 

 Lake Baikal. The winter dress is described from a Turkish specimen sent to us by Mr. Robson. 



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



E Mus. Sliarpe and Dresser. 



a, b. Turka, Siberia, April 27, 1859 (Gust of Radde). c, d, e. Lake Baikal, Siberia (Dybowshj and Parrex). 

 f, ff. Near Constantinople (T. Robson). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Constantinople (T. Robson). b. Lake Baikal, Siberia (Dybowsky and Parrex). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 



a, b, c. Lake Baikal, Siberia (Dybowsky and Parrex). d. Central Asia (Severtzow). e. Ortakeny Hills, 

 Turkey (T. Robson). 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 

 a. Central Asia (Severtsow) . 



