The BLACK-HEADED BUNTING (_Euspiza melanocephala_), an inhabitant of the
south-eastern portion of Europe, and of a large portion of South-western
Asia, is one of the most beautiful of the many species belonging to this
extensive family. It is recognisable by its elongated beak, furnished
with a long sharp protuberance under its roof, and by the more uniform
coloration of its plumage, which differs widely in the two sexes. The
Black-headed Bunting is seven inches long, and eleven and a half across
the wings, the wings and tail measuring about three inches in length. The
head of the male is jet-black, the back rust-red, the whole of the under
part of the body of a golden colour, and the wings and tail dark brown.
The female is without the black hood, the bridles are greyish brown, the
back reddish grey, each feather being bordered with a lighter shade, and
having a dark shaft; the under part of the body is pale yellow, and the
throat of a whitish hue; the quills, wings, and tail-covers are dark
brown, edged with a lighter tint, or with brownish white; the beak is
light blue, and the feet of a deep flesh colour.
The Black-headed Buntings commence their migrations about the month of
November, and very shortly after leaving Europe make their appearance
in the Deccan, and upper provinces of Hindostan, assembling there in
large flocks, and making terrible havoc in the corn-fields, until the
time returns for carrying on their work of destruction in our part of
the world, where, on their arrival, they may be seen perching in crowds
upon the sea shore, as they alight to rest after their long and arduous
flight. We are told by Von Mühle that these birds are so extremely dull
and stupid in their disposition that the male when singing will allow
himself to be approached and killed with a stick, but in other respects
they resemble the rest of their congeners. The nest is usually built upon
a hill side, the female burying herself as far as possible among the
surrounding plants or grass, whilst her mate perches upon a neighbouring
shrub or tree and cheers her with a constant flow of song. The little
cradle is formed without art of the stalks of plants and leaves loosely
woven together, and lined with delicate fibres of hair or fine grass.
The eggs, which are laid about the middle of June, are of a pale blueish
green, marked with more or less distinct green, red, or grey spots.