46 



EMBERIZID.E. 



remove the nest entire : the innermost lining is of long horse- 

 hairs. The nest, when complete, is shallow, on account of 

 the thickness of the matted floor or bottom. The eggs of 

 this species are, as may be expected, the largest of its family, 

 measuring usually an inch in length, by eight lines in dia- 

 meter. Some are of the form represented in figure 99 in the 

 plate, some even more pointed ; others are of a blunt oblong 

 shape, like the lower figure, marked as a variety. The upper 

 figure is perhaps the most usual in form and size : in number, 

 we have never known them to exceed four. The markings, 

 or figures, upon the eggs of this species are very irregular, 

 sometimes grotesque in appearance, and seem in most speci- 

 mens to occur indifferently at either end : in some few they 

 are disposed with more regularity, and form a zone round the 

 larger end. 



The entire length of this species is seven inches and a half. 

 The wing measures three inches eight lines from the carpus 

 to the tip ; the third quill-feather is the longest. The beak 

 is six lines from the forehead to the extremity. The form of 

 the beak in this family is very peculiar, the roof of the upper 

 mandible being furnished with a strong, bony knob, which, 

 with the assistance of the sharp edges of the lower mandible, 

 enables the bird to hold firmly, and break with ease, the hard 

 external crust of the different species of grain on which it 

 chiefly subsists. The upper mandible is smaller than the 

 under, and fits closely into it when the mouth is shut. The 

 tarsi measure nine lines : the tail is slightly forked and rather 

 long. 



The colouring of this species much resembles the skylark. 

 The upper plumage is hair-brown, with a dark streak along 

 the shaft of each feather ; the coverts of the wings are dusky, 

 with yellowish-white edges ; the quills, secondaries, and ter- 

 tials, dusky with light edges ; the tail-feathers the same. 

 The ear-coverts are pale brown, and a dull whitish streak 



