Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Yellow-Hammer

YELLOW-HAMMER, or Emberiza citrinella, L. is a well-known diminutive bird, which inhabits Britain, and other parts of Europe: according to Mr. Pennant, its bill is of a dusky hue; the crown of the head, and the belly, are of a pale yellow, or straw-colour; the hinder part of the neck is tinged with green; and the breast is of an orange-red.

Yellow-hammers frequent meadows, where they construct their large flat nests of dried moss, roots, and horse-hair; and the female lays six white eggs, streaked with purple veins.—These birds are of considerable service to the husbandman, by devouring innumerable insects during the summer; but, in winter, they resort for sustenance to farm-yards, in common with sparrows and other birds.