PASSERES (HIRUNDINlDiE). 423 



Buntings [Eiiiherkiwii). 



Of the eleven species of Buntings found in Great Britain, 

 the Yellow-hammer [Emberiza citrinella), the Eeed-hunting 

 {E. schmniculus), and the Corn-bunting (E. miliaria) are the 

 commonest. 



The Tellow-hammer {E. citrinella) has its head, neck, breast, 

 and lower parts generally yellow streaked with dusky-brown, 

 the upper surface being reddish-brown. The female is not so 

 yellow as the male. They may be found in all parts of Great 

 Britain, building their slight nest of grasses and moss on or near 

 the ground, in April and May. Both male and female help in 

 incubation. Young and adults feed off insects in the summer, 

 but in autumn fruits and seeds take the place of insects, and in 

 winter corn as well. They unite in flocks in the winter, and 

 may be seen in the fields busily engaged hunting for the weed- 

 seeds, which they eat in large numbers. Such generally is the 

 food of the Emberizinse. 



Finches, with the exception of the bullfinch, sparrow, and 

 greenfinch, may be said to be more or less useful birds, on account 

 of the numerous insects and weed-seeds that they destroy. 



Swallows and Martins (HiRUNDiNiDiE). 



These useful migrants have all long and pointed wings with 

 nine primary feathers. The three species — the Swallow, House- 

 martin, and Sand-martin — are placed in three separate genera. 

 They have all a wide gape, with few hairs on the mouth ; the 

 feet are short, with three toes directed forwards, one behind. 

 The tail is more or less forked. 



The Swallow {Hinmdo rustiea) belongs to the genus Hirundo, 

 in which the tail is strongly forked and consists of twelve 

 feathers, the outermost ones being elongated to form the two 

 tails ; the legs and feet are bare. The swallow is only a 

 summer visitor, arriving about the middle of April, and leaving 

 again in the autumn. The nests, of clay and mud lined with 



