BUNTING. 335 



The female is yellow brown, with some markings of brown, in 

 rows down the back , wings dusky, with pale edges ; on the top of 

 the head three brown streaks, one on the crown, and one over each 

 eye; all the under parts dusky pale yellow, palest on the chin. 

 Young cocks greatly resemble the females. 



Inhabits America, where it is migratory. Found at Cuba in 

 flocks about September, and from thence take their departure for 

 Carolina, and so on to other parts, staying in each only so long as 

 the rice continues green ; for when ripe they will not touch it. In 

 Georgia first seen early in May; do much damage to the forward wheat 

 and barley : are named Brown Larks. These birds come into Rhode 

 Island and New York at the end of April, or second week in May, 

 frequenting the borders of fields, and live on insects, &c. till the 

 maize is fit for their palate ; they first begin by pecking holes in the 

 sides of the husks, and after satiating themselves, go to others; 

 hence the rain gets in, and effectually spoils the plants; they continue 

 during the summer, and breed there, after which, as autumn ap- 

 proaches, they return southward ; are frequently found with the Red- 

 winged Orioles, though not one to ten of the latter, are seen also 

 with the Blue Jays. 



The males and females do not arrive together, the females come 

 first.* In Georgia are observed to come in flocks the latter end of 

 May and June, eating the wheat when ripening ; there are at that 

 time many young ones with them, not arrived to full plumage,! and 

 generally but few of the adult birds; the young male, though like 

 the female, differs in having three broader marks on the head, of 

 mottled spots, and from thence more markings on the back part of 

 the neck and back, the last inclining to dusky purple ; also some 

 long dusky marks on the rump and sides of the vent : the young cock 

 is sometimes to be met with singly in autumn, in corn fields. In 

 some parts of America it is called Bob Lincoln, and Conquelle ; in 



* Amcen. Acad. f Do not get the full plumage till the following Spring. 



