MARSH BUNTING. 
31 
on examination of the distribution of colour, the pro- 
portions of its quill feathers, etc., I did not find any 
characters to distinguish it from the other species, and 
knowing then nothing of its habits, I had never made 
it known as new, and, to avoid making a mistake, T 
placed it in the iNIuseum of Pisa as E. palustris. Since 
then, however, having been able to make some new 
observations upon the form and habits of the two 
species, I am persuaded they are decidedly different, 
and the principal reasons which induce me to form this 
opinion are the following : — 
The distinctive characteristics of E. palustris and 
E. schceniculiis are the greater size of the former, its 
head larger in proportion to the rest of the body, its 
tarsi proportionally shorter and thicker, its upper 
plumage more distinct in coloration, and its beak 
differing in form and size. 
Xow as these characteristics only consist in a greater 
development of parts, and a stronger degree of colour, 
it may be objected that this is owing to difference in 
age; that is to say, that the Migliarino cli Padule in 
growing old may acquire the proportions and colours 
of the Passera di Padule. As far as size and colour 
are concerned, there would be no difficulty in under- 
standing this, but it is not so easy to account for the 
difference in the beak, and almost impossible to conceive 
such a change in the form and dimensions of the 
masticatory organs, and such an alteration in the other 
hones of the face and skull, in the adult age of 
animals, in whom the consolidation of bone rapidly 
occurs. But that I might have positive proof, I kept 
several Peed Buntings in my house for about a 
year, and as I had supposed no change in the form 
or dimensions of the beak occurred. Besides this, 
