58 EMBERIZID.E. 



the lining being simply of finer grass or hay. It is a curious 

 fact, that this little bird appears always to select black hair 

 for the lining of its nest ; at least such is its custom in this 

 part of the country. In all our specimens, ten or twelve 

 having been examined on the present occasion, there is no 

 variation ; black is the prevailing colour, with hardly any 

 intermixture. It would be a curious matter to observe the 

 lining of nests of this species in counties where black horses 

 are not to be met with ; in some parts of Suffolk, for in- 

 stance, along the coast, where the soil is sandy and light, and 

 where almost all the horses are of a pale chesnut, or sand 

 colour. How singularly different must nests from such lo- 

 calities appear ! We must observe, that not all horses in this 

 part of England are black, nor do we think that black is even 

 the most prevalent colour among them ; the choice, therefore, 

 still rests with the little bird. 



The eggs of this species, although partaking of the Bunt- 

 ing character in some specimens in the manner of their mark- 

 ings, are very different in form, being invariably, long and 

 rather pointed at both ends, instead of short and round. The 

 egg figured in the plate and numbered 101 is an example 

 of the usual and almost invariable shape. In their colour 

 the eggs of this species are tolerably permanent, being plain, 

 pure stone, varying from a greenish to a brownish tint. 

 They have always fewer hair-like lines, and many more dis- 

 tinct, round spots than Buntings in general. Sometimes, 

 however, the larger end is delicately marked with fine hairs, 

 woven, as it were, around the crown. 



This species appears to inhabit most of the temperate parts 

 of Europe from Sweden to the Mediterranean sea ; we find, 

 however, no mention of this bird as inhabiting the island of 

 Crete, and its residence in Corfu appears somewhat doubtful. 

 Neither has it a place in the Fauna of Shetland, so often 

 quoted, although it is found in some parts of Scotland. 



