66 EMBERIZfD.E. 



these birds are commonly met with, but they are rare in 

 Switzerland : they are plentiful in the south of Russia, and are 

 found in the middle and western parts of Asia. 



Like other Buntings, these prefer the borders of woods, 

 hedges, and fields, especially if near water ; they also visit 

 gardens, and frequent the banks of rivulets clothed with low 

 willows and other bushes, and districts intersected with ditches 

 and springy tracts. They do not, however, inhabit osier 

 grounds so much as the reed buntings do. From their 

 wooded retreats they visit the neighbouring fields of stubble, 

 turnips, millet, &c, but are seldom seen in open meadows. 



These birds are said to show themselves but little, in which 

 they differ much from our common English buntings, which 

 are remarkable for perching in exposed and visible situations. 

 The Ortolan is said to conceal itself among branches, or 

 on the ground amidst long grass and weeds, and rarely un- 

 dertakes a lengthened flight. During the breeding season the 

 male birds show themselves more than at other times, and 

 may then frequently be seen upon a low tree or bush. The 

 flight of this species is quick and undulating. 



Bechstein, speaking of the migration of this species, says 

 their route is so exact and regular, that when one has been 

 seen in a particular spot, especially in the spring, it is sure to 

 be found there the following year at the same time. As a 

 cage bird, according to the same author, the fine form and co- 

 lours of the Ortolan would alone be sufficient to render it de- 

 sirable, but still more so its flute-like warbling, which he de- 

 scribes as clear and full. 



The nest of the Ortolan Bunting is said to be built upon 

 the ground among the trailing branches of a shrub, or in long 

 grass or corn : it is constructed of dry grasses, stalks, and 

 roots, and lined with hair. The eggs are five or six in num- 

 ber, and differ very little from the one figured in the plate, 

 which w r e obtained from Italy. Our specimen has none of 



