RUSTIC BUNTING.

Emberiza rustica, Pad.

Le Bruant rustique.

For fine examples of both sexes of this exceedingly scarce Bunting we are indebted to the Directors of the
Museum at Frankfort ; and although its native country is Siberia, Kamtschatka, and the adjacent islands, we
are inclined to admit it among the Birds of Europe, on the assurance of some naturalists that it is frequently
found within the limits of the north-eastern portions of the Continent. M. Temminck has also admitted it
on the same grounds, though he himself has never received it in a recent state, and until he does, he prefers
taking his account from the work of Pallas.

In the disposition of its colouring the Rustic Bunting resembles several other species of the genus Eméeriza ;
but it departs in a trifling degree from that form; and in the stoutness of its bill and the shortness of its
tail would appear to approach the Finches.

The female may be distinguished from the male by the absence of the black colour on the crown of the
head and ear-coverts ; in other respects their plumage is closely similar.

We have no information to communicate respecting its habits and manners, nor is its nidification or the
colour of its eggs as yet ascertained.

The male has the top of the head, with the exception of a white line down the middle, and the space
between the beak and the ear-coverts, black ; a broad white streak passes over the eye, and down the sides
of the neck and throat; the whole of the upper surface is rich brown, each feather having a darker mark
in the centre; this brown colouring passes into rufous on the chest, which it surrounds like a collar; the
wings are of the same colour as the back; secondaries tipped with white; primaries and tail brown, the
two outer feathers of the latter white on their outer edges; the flanks red brown, each feather having the
centre darkest ; under surface white; legs and bill dull yellow brown.

The plumage of the female is somewhat paler and more obscure than that of the male, and the black which
ornaments the head of the male is replaced by brown; the stripe over the eye and down the throat is yellowish
white.

The Plate represents a male and female of the natural size.

 

 

 

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