hedges near the coast are often covered with them, though previously none were to be seen. It builds and
breeds in the over-grown hills, and goes away early 1n August. During the breeding-time, the male sits on
the tops of the bushes, and continually utters its agreeable, simple, Yellowhammer-like song. It is not at all

shy, and is frequently killed by those in quest of it with a stick alone. Singular to say, the female is seldom
seen; I have met with a very small number of that sex.”

Lord Lilford informs us in ‘The Ibis’ for 1860, p. 139, that the Black-headed Bunting “arrives in Corfu
and Epirus in great numbers in April, remains to breed, and disappears in September, has an agreeable
song, and is known in Corfu by the name of ‘ Ortolano.’ ”

Very considerable difference occurs in the colouring of the sexes
black colouring of the head, and of the chestnut hue of the back.

The male in full breeding-plumage has the head, cheeks, and ear-coverts rich deep black, all the upper
surface and a patch on each side of the chest deep rust-red, the whole of the under surface and the sides
of the neck bright yellow ; wings reddish brown, each feather conspicuously margined with grey, except the
primaries, on which it only occurs as a fine line on the extreme edge of the feathers ; tail similar, but paler,

the female being destitute of the rich

 

and the edging not so decided ; bill bluish grey; feet yellowish brown.

The general plumage of the female above is brown, each feather margined with pale brown; the under
surface washed with yellow, which is deepest on the under tail-coverts.

The Plate represents the two sexes, of the natural size, on the wild hop (Humulus Lupulus, Linn. ).

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