THE CORN-BUNTING. 



Emberiza miliaria, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 17. 



The Corn-Bunting, sometimes called the Common Bunting, although only 

 common in those parts of the country which suit its habits, is nevertheless widely 

 spread throughout our islands. 



It is also found over the greater part of Europe, from southern Scandinavia 

 to the Mediterranean. 



The nest, which is usually placed on the ground and hidden under a tussock 

 of grass, or sometimes in young corn, is rather large, and is loosely constructed of 

 grass-stalks, roots, and moss, with a lining of hair. The five or six eggs are dull 

 white, shaded with lilac, and blotched and streaked with dark brown. 



This Bunting does not usually lay its eggs until late in May. 



In summer the food consists chiefly of insects, but later in the autumn and 

 winter seeds of weeds, and also grain, are eaten. 



The song, delivered while the bird is perched on a tall thistle or other plant, 

 often from a wall or telegraph wire, consists of a succession of rather harsh 

 scraping notes, the last one prolonged. 



The Corn-Bunting haunts open arable land, particularly if near the sea, and 

 is fond of dusting itself on roads. 



The sexes do not differ in the colour of their plumage. 



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