{458 YELLOW BUNTING

the yellow bunting has been known to lay her eggs on
the ground without any nest; and in another a nest was
placed at an elevation of seven feet from the ground,
among the branches of a broom.

In winter these birds flock together with chaffinches,
greenfinches, and others, and visit with them the stack-
yard of the farmer, in quest of the grain which may
there be picked up. In general they roost either on
or very near the ground; but in severe weather they
resort for shelter to bushes and evergreen shrubs. They
are considered very good eating, as indeed grain-eating
birds may be expected to be; and in Italy great quantities
of them are caught, and sold for the table.

The note of this species is not a very musical one,
being only one sound repeated a few times in quick
succession, and then drawn out to a considerable length.
The song is heard in spring and summer, especially
during warm sunny days in June; and the male bird,
who takes turns with the female in sitting on the nest,
has been heard to sing while in that situation. The
young are able tu fly the first or second week in June,
which is about a fortnight from the time of their being
hatched. The yellow bunting is common throughout
the whole of Europe.