MARSH BUNTING. 81 



on examination of the distribution of colour, the pro- 

 portions of its quill feathers, etc., I did not find any 

 characters to distinguish it from the other species, and 

 knowing then nothing of its habits, I had never made 

 it known as new, and, to avoid making a mistake, T 

 placed it in the Museum of Pisa as E. palustris. Since 

 then, however, having been able to make some new 

 observations upon the form and habits of the two 

 species, I am persuaded they are decidedly different, 

 and the principal reasons which induce me to form this 

 opinion are the following: — 



The distinctive characteristics of E. palustris and 

 E. schceniculus are the greater size of the former, its 

 head larger in proportion to the rest of the body, its 

 tarsi proportionally shorter and thicker, its upper 

 plumage more distinct in coloration, and its beak 

 differing in form and size. 



Now as these characteristics only consist in a greater 

 development of parts, and a stronger degree of colour, 

 it may be objected that this is owing to difference in 

 age; that is to say, that the Migliarino di Padule in 

 growing old may acquire the proportions and colours 

 of the Passera di Padule. As far as size and colour 

 are concerned, there would be no difficulty in under- 

 standing this, but it is not so easy to account for the 

 difference in the beak, and almost impossible to conceive 

 such a change in the form and dimensions of the 

 masticatory organs, and such an alteration in the other 

 hones of the face and skull, in the adult age of 

 animals, in whom the consolidation of bone rapidly 

 occurs. But that I might have positive proof, I kept 

 several Reed Buntings in my house for about a 

 year, and as I had supposed no change in the form 

 or dimensions of the beak occurred. Besides this, 



