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in Dauria it frequents the mountain-torrents, the more elevated larch-woods, and also the willow- 

 beds ; and Professor Lilljeborg, who observed it near Archangel, says : — " It is a very lively bird 

 and not shy ; it is always moving about, gliding and creeping amongst the bushes, reeds, and 

 other growth, where it finds shelter. In some places Veratrum album grew high and dense ; and 

 amongst these and the high Spircece it found excellent shelter, and, unless one remained quietly 

 waiting for some time until it came out, it was impossible to catch sight of it there. Its song is 

 varied and sweet, more so than is the case with most of the Buntings, resembling more that of a 

 Warbler, being closest to that of the Redbreast. When singing it was usually perched on the top 

 of a bush, and could then, of course, be easiest seen. When once one heard the clear loud note 

 of this bird it was easily discoverable. It appeared to feed chiefly on insects ; and I discovered 

 only remains of these in those I examined." Meves, who met with it near Onega, and on the 

 islands of the Dvina, near Archangel, and Cholmogory, says that he heard its song frequently, 

 and that it somewhat resembles that of the Reed-Bunting. 



According to Messrs. Alston and Harvie-Brown (I. <?.), " it frequents both pine-woods of large 

 growth and thickets of underwood, but seems to prefer young woods with a mixture of pine, fir, 

 alder, and birch. These birds were exceedingly tame at all times, but more especially so when 

 their young were in the vicinity. We often heard their sweet, low song (more resembling the 

 warbling of some Sylvia than of an Emberiza), which was generally poured forth from the top of 

 a tree ; they had also a low cry of alarm, which may be expressed by the words tick, tick, tick 

 repeated at intervals of about a second. We did not find any nests, but obtained the young in 

 several stages." In India, Dr. Jerdon says (I. <?.), " it frequents bare spots of ground with low 

 bushes in small flocks. Adams states that it has the habits of a Redpoll. Quite recently I shot 

 one near Kolassee, in the Purneah district, frequenting grass and bushes near a small river ; and 

 as it is not a bird likely to be remarked, it will probably be found in similar places throughout 

 the plains in the north of India during the cold weather." Both Von Middendorff and Dr. von 

 Schrenck found it breeding in Siberia. 



Two nests with eggs were taken by Von Middendorff — the first on the 20th June (O. S.) 

 containing five eggs, which, he says, were stout in shape, measuring 17J by 14 millims., spotted 

 with brown, chiefly on the centre of the egg, on a greyish white ground. The second nest, taken 

 on the 29th June, contained four eggs, which were more elongated in shape, measuring 20 by 14 

 millims., and were marked (chiefly at the larger end) with violet-brown dots, streaks, and washed- 

 out spots on a yellowish white ground. Von Schrenck, writing respecting its breeding-habits, 

 says, " I found a nest of this Bunting on the Lower Amoor in an open place in the fir-woods 

 between Lake Kidsi and the sea-coast. It was placed on the ground between moss tussocks, and 

 was unartistically built of grass-straws entwined with the spines of larch and fir. The eggs, five 

 in number, were in size and form as figured by Middendorff, viz. elongated, 17*5 millims. long, 

 and 14 millims. broad, marked all over on a dirty white ground with numerous violet-brown 

 spots and markings. On the 5th (17th) June they were still quite fresh. I may remark that 

 here and there between the tussocks in the woods remains of snow were still lying." 



There is no doubt that this bird breeds not uncommonly near Archangel ; but, in spite of 

 every endeavour, my collectors have failed to procure me well-authenticated eggs, though I still 

 hope to receive them from there. 



