342 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
tree, uttering its harfh and diffonant cry, which it 
inceffantly repeats at fhort intervals ; this conti- 
nues during the greateft part of fummer, after which 
they are feen in great flocks, and continue fo for 
the moll part during winter ; they are often fhot in 
great numbers, or caught in nets, and, from the fi- 
milarity of their plumage, are not unfrequently fold 
for Larks. The female makes her neft among the 
thick grafs, a little elevated above the ground : fhe 
lays five or fix eggs, and while fhe is employed in 
the bufinefs of incubation, her mate brings her food, 
and entertains her with his frequently repeated 
fong. Buffon obferves, that in France the Bunting 
is feldom feen during winter, but that it migrates 
foon after the Swallow, and fpreads itfelf through 
almoft every part of Europe. Their food confifts 
chiefly of grain ; they likewife eat variety of in- 
fects, which they find in the fields and meadows. 
