352 



YELLOW BUNTING. 



any yellow about it when it first leaves the nest* 

 This is subject to very great variety, as seldom 

 two are found perfectly similar ; but the descrip- 

 tion above given will enable any one to ascertain 

 the species. 



This bird is one of the most common indigenous 

 species, and is to be seen in every lane and on every 

 bush, uttering its simple song, which consists of 

 five or six notes, of which the last is more length- 

 ened and shrill than the others. It makes an art- 

 less nest of hay, dried roots, and moss, lined with 

 hair and wool. Its eggs vary very much in colour 

 and size, some being nearly white, others purplish 

 blue, but all marked with hair-like streaks termi- 

 nating in a roundish speck ; they are generally four 

 in number. In winter it assembles with other gra- 

 nivorous birds, and picks up the grain dispersed by 

 the flail : it is a. tame, silly species ; but is never 

 caged on account of its song, which is far from 

 pleasing. It appears to be abundant over most 

 parts of Europe, and in Italy is esteemed as ex- 

 cellent food. 



The Green-headed Bunting of Dr. Latham ap- 

 pears to be merely a variety of the female of this 

 species, as that sex has often been taken with the 

 whole head and neck greenish yellow ; and from 

 the circumstance of its being found in this country, 

 and only one specimen having occurred, there can 

 be little or no doubt of its identity. 



