44 EMBERIZ1D.E. 



1NSESS0RES. EMBERIZLDJE. 



CONIROSTRES. 



PLATE XCIX. 



LARK BUNTING. 



Emberiza miliaria. 



This species appears to be more generally known through- 

 out the whole continent of Europe than any other of the 

 Bunting tribe, being found to breed as far north as Norway 

 and Sweden, and as far south as the islands of the Mediterra- 

 nean ; and, in both these widely differing latitudes, it is 

 stationary in considerable numbers throughout the year. 



Leaving the wastes of heath and broom to the Yellow 

 Bunting, and the marshy tracts to the Black-headed species, 

 this bird prefers country of a more cultivated description, 

 and chiefly frequents enclosed districts, where corn lands are 

 interspersed with hedge-rows and grass fields. During au- 

 tumn and winter, the Lark Buntings associate in flocks, and 

 are often found intermixed with skylarks, whose habits and 

 manners at this period of the year are greatly in accordance 

 with their own. Together with these companions the Lark 

 Buntings frequent stubble-fields and the vicinity of farms, 

 where grain is abundant, and where, however, their visits are 

 by no means welcome in some counties, if we call to mind 

 the account given by Mr. Knapp of the destructive employ- 

 ment in which they have been found engaged, namely, un- 



