Ortolan

Not legally.

There was a rumor about Francois Mitterand having eaten them anyway.

It's illegal to eat them, but have heard that you can get your hands of them if so inclined!

Mitterand had TWO on his deathbed (that's just greed you see, mostly you will only eat one)

Never heard of it till now, but curious: I assume 'tis illegal cos it's endangered?

Reminds me of the line of Robert Browning's "Reader have you eaten ortolans, ever in Italy?"

The tendency of southern europeans to trap, snare or blast every migratory bird out of the sky for sport has decimated many a species.

'tis true, alas.

Yes, movie buffs should watch Leslie Caron in Gigi being instructed on the correct way to eat the little critters...bones and all!

I've laways liked to bit about coving your head with a napkin while eating them...

This provides a charming description of the whole process...