YELLOW BUNTING. 
189 
covered a nest of this species about six feet above the 
ground, upon the branch of a spruce fir-tree, exemplify¬ 
ing a remark made to me by Mr. Yarrell, that as the 
buntings become more nearly allied to the larks by the 
greater length of their hind claws, so they likewise re¬ 
semble them in their habit of building upon the ground. 
Of this the common and snow buntings, both of which 
have the claw produced, are instances; the former very 
rarely, the latter, as far as known, never raising its nest 
above the ground. 
The eggs of the Yellow Bunting are from three to five 
in number ; the female sits very closely, and is not easily 
driven from them. 
