THE ORTOLAN BUNTING
Emberiza hortulana, Linnæus
Up to within the last few years this bird was so freely imported alive to supply the wants of epicures that a large number of its supposed occurrences in these islands are open to suspicion. There seems, however, little doubt, that genuine wild examples have reached these islands from time to time.
This species breeds sparingly in Scandinavia and thence southwards through Denmark, Germany, and France, but it is only in the south of Europe that it becomes common, migrating eastwards and southwards to Abyssinia and North India in winter.
The male has the head greyish; rest of upper parts pale brown streaked with black. Throat yellow, becoming greyish on the upper breast; rest of under parts pale chestnut. The hen is duller with darker streaks on the head. Length 6 in.; wing 3·25 in.
CIRL BUNTING
Emberiza cirlus
Male (left). Young (right)
THE MEADOW BUNTING
Emberiza cia, Linnæus
This Bunting is found throughout Central and Southern Europe; it has only been recorded in this country during the last four years.
The head is blue grey, with three dark stripes across it; wings and tail dark brown, the secondaries edged with rufous; the whole of the rest of the plumage pale cinnamon brown with darker stripes on the back. Length 6·2 in.; wings 3·1 in.