The Yellow Bunting. 



secondary flights and the larger wing coverts are black, 

 tinged with reddish brown ; the smaller wing coverts are 

 brownish green. The tail feathers are an indefinite greyish 

 black, the two outer ones being adorned with a white 

 spot on each ; those in the middle of the tail are bordered 

 with reddish brown. The feet and legs are pale fleshy brown. 

 Old birds are less spotted than young ones, especially about 

 the head and neck ; and some which are at least four or five 

 years old are quite free from spots on these parts. Young 

 birds are darker, and more dingy in colour, the yellow being 

 less bright and clear, and the spots more numerous than in 

 older specimens ; they become much paler when kept and 

 moulted indoors. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Yellow Bunting is almost as 

 common and well known as the Hedge Sparrow, and in- 

 habits the whole of Europe. It is indigenous to Great 

 Britain, and may be found in almost every wood and coppice 

 in the United Kingdom. These birds are timid, and easily 

 frightened, and crouchr on the ground, or on a bush, as if in 

 great terror, at the report of a gun, or if they perceive a 

 bird of prey hovering near. They seem to have an aversion 

 to wind, and sit on the top or side of a hedge, in an abject 

 and forlorn way, whilst a gale is blowing. 



During the breeding season, and whilst food is plentiful, 

 they remain in the fields and plantations ; when it becomes 

 scarce, and they are unable to procure a sufficient supply, 

 they resort to farmyards and corn ricks. They very rarely 

 quarrel during the pairing season, being of a quiet and 

 peaceable disposition. 



Yellow Buntings do not appear to approve of rain, and 

 squat beneath bushes, or in the bottoms of hedges, for shelter 

 from it. They are very affectionate birds, and seem much 

 attached to each other, as well as their offspring, mourning 

 for days after their nest has been plundered, especially if it 

 contained young birds. They seem very proud of their 

 progeny, the male bird seldom leaving the neighbourhood in 

 which the nest is situated for any length of time. As a con- 

 sequence of his solicitude for their welfare, he invariably leads 

 I those who are searching for the nest to the spot, for he 

 hops from twig to twig, uttering two or three notes, bobbing 

 up his tail, and half opening it, like a lady's fan, and 



