Bunting

(bunting.) (Zool.) An interesting group of Inse orial birds, belonging to the genera Euspiza, Emberiza, and Plectrophanes, family Fringillidæ, several species of which are natives of North America. Their general characters are, that the bill is strong and conic, the upper mandible with a strong knob on the "palate," the sides of each mandible bending inwards. They are abt. 7 inches in length, Fig. 112.-BUNTING BIRD. and live principally (Emberiza Milliaria.) on seeds, for the breaking of which their bill is well adapted (Fig. 112). [s. 123] IMG:p0152_0.jpg:Gravür IMG:p0152_1.jpg:Gravür