THE ORTOLAN. 

 Emberiza hortulana, Linnaeus. 

 Plate i8. 



The first British specimen of the Ortolan was taken in Marylebone Fields in 

 the year 1776 or thereabouts. Since that time a good many have been obtained 

 in England on the eastern and southern coasts. 



On the mainland of Scotland it is very rare, although it appears to visit Fair 

 Isle, Shetlands, regularly during the spring and autumn migrations, whilst in 

 Ireland it is said to have been taken once, but the record is doubtful. 



Abroad it is a summer visitor to many parts of Central, Eastern, and Western 

 Europe, making its way to Africa to spend the winter. 



The nest is placed on the ground, hidden among corn, grass, or other 

 vegetation, or sometimes beneath a bush. 



It is constructed of dead grasses and roots, with a lining of finer materials and 

 hair, and contains four or five eggs : in ground colour pale grey, with a purplish 

 tinge, spotted and blotched with purple-brown. 



Its food consists of seeds and insects, the young being reared on the latter. 



Seebohm describes its "plaintive monotonous song," which, he says, "begins 

 somewhat like that of the Yellow Hammer, but ends quite differently" (British 

 Birds, vol. ii. p. 154). 



The Ortolan frequents open wooded country, roadsides, and gardens ; and 

 during migration large numbers are caught in nets, and fattened on oats and 

 millet, to be used as a table delicacy. 



The female resembles the male, but the colours are duller and paler, and the 

 head is streaked. 



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