The GOLDEN BUNTING, or YELLOW BUNTING (_Emberiza citrinella_), is to
be met with in the same parts of our continent as afford a home to the
species last described, from which it is distinguished by the beauty of
its plumage, and the comparative slenderness of its beak. The Yellow
Bunting is about six and a half inches long, and from ten to ten and a
half inches in breadth; the wing measures three and a quarter inches,
and the tail two and three-quarter inches; the plumage of the male is
admired for its markings and the brightness of its tints; the head and
lower portion of the neck are of a bright lemon yellow, and the breast
and belly streaked with reddish brown; the sides of the breast, rump, and
mantle are of a vivid rust colour, the latter being streaked with dark
brown; the throat is tinted with a mixture of olive green and reddish
yellow, and the wings and tail are bordered by two lines, formed by the
yellowish tips of the feathers; the iris is brown, the beak blueish, and
the feet of a deep flesh colour. The female is by no means so handsome as
her mate.
Unlike the Grey Bunting, this species is frequently found at a
considerable altitude, and is very numerous upon the Swiss Alps: it
generally, however, prefers woodland districts, where it hops about
with an agility and grace far exceeding that of its grey brother, whom
it also much surpasses in the quality of its voice. During the entire
summer Golden Buntings are seen flying over the country either in pairs
or small parties; but no sooner does spring approach than the little
couples creep under some low bush or bushy plant, and commence their
preparations for a young family, generally building their nest with fine
grass or some similar material, and enlivening their work by a constant
flow of song, that has been freely translated into a number of sentences
appropriate to the business upon which they are employed; these jubilant
sounds are uttered whilst perched upon a high branch, from which the bold
songster will look down upon the approach of a man without exhibiting
any alarm. The brood consists of from four to five eggs of a dirty white
or reddish colour, veined and spotted with a darker shade. Both parents
assist in the work of incubation, and feed the young exclusively upon
insect nourishment; should the season be favourable, these birds will
breed twice or thrice in the year. When the rearing of the several
families is completed, young and old congregate into one large flock,
and fly about the country in company with Larks, Finches, and Thrushes,
for whose society they appear to feel a wonderful predilection, which
is, however, not so peaceful in its nature as to prevent innumerable
squabbles, though these rarely become serious. On the approach of winter,
the flocks are compelled to seek their food in the neighbouring fields
and farmyards, their visits being by no means welcome to the proprietors,
who, nevertheless, but rarely take any means to protect themselves
against such petty marauders.
[Illustration: THE ORTOLAN OR GARDEN BUNTING (_Emberiza-Glycyspina
hortulana_).]