Ortolan

(or to-lăn.) [Fr.] (Zool.) The Great-headed Bunting, Emberiza or Plectrophanes hortulana, a bird greatly esteemed for the delicacy of its flesh, when in season. It belongs to the Fringillide, and is a native ofN. Africa; but in Fig. 509.- THE ORTOLAN. summer and autumn it visits S., and sometimes even central and N. Europe. Itis about the size of a lark (Fig. 503), and seems identical with the miliaria of Varro, which was sold at such enormous prices to the epicures of Rome. [s. 670]