224 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



instead of yellow. Neither species has much musical 

 ability, though their notes are heard almost contin- 

 uously during the summer months in European 

 countries.' See Plate 16, Fig. 87. 



Wherever sluggish streams and reedy marshes 

 abound throughout Europe, there the Reed-bunting 

 may be looked for. In the spring, it is rather hand- 

 some in its reddish plumage and black head, relieved 

 by the white of the under parts, but in the autumn, 

 after the new plumage has been assumed, the black 

 hood is obscured by brown tips to the feathers. As 

 winter proceeds, these tips gradually wear off until 

 the black crown is once more in evidence. See Plate 

 16, Fig. 88. 



Though in general appearance resembling the 

 Reed-bunting, the Lapland Bunting may be distin- 

 guished by the long claw of the hind-toe, which has 

 gained for it the name of Long-spur. See Plate 15, 

 Fig. 81. 



The home of this bird is in the far North; it is, 

 indeed, a circumpolar species, frequenting swampy 

 lands beyond the limit of forest growth. Until the 

 year 1892 the Lapland Bunting was extremely rare 

 in the British Islands, but since that time England 

 especially has been invaded by great numbers, 

 annually, though only a few have ever been seen in 

 Scotland. 



The beautiful Cardinal-bird, or Virginia Nightin- 

 gale as it is sometimes called on account of its famous 

 song, is a common species in the eastern parts of the 

 United States. It is from eight to nine inches in 

 length, the face is black, the bill red, and the head 



