BRANDT'S SIBERIAN BUNTING. 117 
I sold my Redwings, and subsequently they were made use of for show purposes. 
In the late autumn of 1894 I selected a male Ortolan from a consignment of 
Weavers (out of colour) which had just been received from Africa: it had been 
imported, together with Abyssinian and Russ’ Weavers, and with these I continue 
to keep it in one of my cool aviaries. 
Like its predecessors, this Ortolan, associated as it is with naturally quarrel- 
some and powerful birds, is singularly quiet and retiring in its demeanour; indeed 
it often seems to weary of the constant wranglings and strong language of the 
Weavers, and perches quite low down, or even on the earth; where, from time to 
time, it utters its melancholy little monotonous song: although it never has a 
chance of securing any insect food, all of which is greedily devoured as soon as 
it is thrown into the aviary by three specimens of a Cape Weaver Sitagra (S. 
capensis ?) it appears to find all that it needs for its health in the few dried ants’ 
cocoons remaining in a saucer of soft food, which has already been picked over 
by examples of Lzothrix and Zosterops: it also eats a good many oats, in addition 
to Canary and other seeds. 
In spite of their usually placid behaviour, this and all the Buntings are very 
pretty additions to a mixed aviary; their plumage being usually quite uninjured 
and scrupulously clean. Although perhaps not so passionately fond of bathing as 
some of the more typical Finches, they perform their ablutions once or twice each 
day in a methodical and business-like manner, which is probably quite as effective 
as the hurried splashing, characteristic of a Goldfinch or Canary. 
Family—FRINGILLIDA:. Subfamily—E MBE RIZINAE. 
BRANDT'S SIBERIAN BUNTING. 
Emberiza cloides, BRANDT. 
N example of the Chinese race of this species, said to have been obtained 
near Flamborough, in October, 1887, was purchased in June, 1888, by Mr. 
Vor. II. Ta 
