BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 
187 
INSESSORES . 
CON I ROST RES. 
EMBERIZIDJE. 
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 
REED-SPARROW, BLACK-CAP. 
Emberiza SCHCENICLUS. 
PLATE XLVII. FIG. I. 
Different opinions have been held with regard to the 
position of the nest of this species. Some authors, in de¬ 
scribing the situation of its nest, have no doubt con¬ 
founded it with that of the sedge-warbler, as noticed by 
Mr. Selby and the Rev. L. Jenyns. 
It usually builds its nest in a clump of grass, or low 
bush, preferring a marshy situation. I have, however, 
though rarely, found the nest at an elevation of two feet 
or more above the water, and supported by a bunch of 
the common reed, not fixed like the nest of the reed- 
warbler attached to the perpendicular stems, but sup¬ 
ported upon a bunch of them which had been prostrated 
by the wind. 
The nest is composed of the stalks of various plants, 
some moss, and is lined with hair. The eggs are four or 
five in number, varying only in the browner or more 
purple tint of the general colour. They have much re¬ 
semblance in their marking to the eggs of the chaffinch, 
but are always much darker. 
