COMMON BUNTING. 



361 



eating. The female builds her nest on a tuft of 

 dead plants, about four or five inches from the 

 ground ; it is composed externally of straw, and in- 

 ternally of dry grass, and a few long hairs : she 

 lays five or six dirty white eggs, spotted with red- 

 dish brown and ash-colour; and during her incu- 

 bation the male brings her food, and entertains her 

 with his frequently repeated scream, sitting on the 

 highest branch of a bush, or even on the top of a 

 dock. 



These birds remain the whole year in England, 

 but on the continent they migrate, as they depart 

 from France with the swallow : are found in abun- 

 dance near Rome, and over great part of Europe : 

 their food consists principally of grain, but they 

 eat a great variety of insects. 



