In the SPUR BUNTING or LARK BUNTING (_Centrophanes lapponicus_) the
characteristic nail is longer than the toe itself. The plumage of the
male is black upon the top of the head, and beneath the throat; the nape
is a bright rust-red, marked with a reddish-white line that passes over
the eyes, and lower down takes the form of the letter S; the back is
brown, streaked with a deeper shade; the wings brownish black, with light
borders to the small covers and individual quills; the lower part of the
body is greyish white, marked upon the sides with large black streaks and
spots. The female is without the black upon the head, throat, and sides,
and her plumage is of a paler tint than that of the male. During the
winter the black markings are frequently almost concealed under the white
edges that the feathers acquire at that season. The young resemble the
mother, but have long dark streaks upon the lower portion of the body.
The iris is dark brown, the beak blueish black at its tip, and the feet
a greyish brown. The length of this species is about six inches, and the
breadth ten inches; the wing measures three and a half inches, and the
tail two and a half inches. The female is smaller than her mate.
[Illustration: THE LARK BUNTING (_Centrophanes lapponicus_).]
The Lark Bunting is to be found in all the northern countries of Europe,
and is extremely numerous in Lapland, its favourite haunts being
mountains, barren highlands, or birch forests. Its habits are a curious
mixture of those of the Lark and Reed Bunting; it runs on the ground
after the manner of the former, and perches like the latter, while its
flight bears a resemblance to that of both birds. The call-note is
melancholy, and its sound well suited to the localities where it is
heard: the song is very simple, and is, we believe, only uttered whilst
on the wing. Schräder tells us that this species visits Lapland about
April, and at once proceeds to make its nest, which is safely concealed
under the roots of a birch tree, or hidden amongst the surrounding
plants; exteriorly it is formed of coarse, thick grass, and lined with
soft feathers. The eggs, five or six in number, are laid about the
middle of June; in shape they are elongated, and of a grey or yellowish
colour, marked more or less with dark spots or lines, which are, however,
occasionally wanting. As soon as the duties of incubation are concluded
the little pairs unite themselves into parties, and appear during
their journeyings over the country to be almost entirely without fear
of man, and quite ignorant of his dangerous powers. The food of these
birds during the summer months consists principally of gnats and other
insects, and in winter of various kinds of seeds. The migrations of Lark
Buntings rarely extend beyond the southern parts of Scandinavia, such
as have visited Germany being, no doubt, stragglers that have wandered
involuntarily from the rest. Naumann tells us that they constantly seek
the society of Larks, and that their flesh is frequently eaten.