2 Y E L L O W B U N T I N G.
species from outlying quarters to (lie neighbourhood of farms and other buildings, seldom eaoses any general
movement from one district to another.
Owing to the hireding-rauge of this species extending far north, it is probable the British Islands are
visited by migrants from across the sea. Only one or two while on the passage have eonie under my observation
off our coasts in autumn ; and during the years I received wings from the light-ships no information was
gained concerning their arrival.
Thoughout the snow-storms early hi December Is---:?, I remarked a few scattered pairs of Yellow Hammers
keeping company with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Pipits, and Wagtails. These birds were fluttering and
running busily alongside the roads in the outskirts of Brighton, Wherever the snow had been removed they
eagerly searched the dust-heaps, or any collection of rubbish carted out from the town.
Seeds and insects no doubt form the greater portion of the food of this species. I had previously
imagined it was only when pre wed by want that meat would be patronized. A female Yellow Hammer,
however, was distinctly seen to make a most vigorous attack on a pieco of cooked mutton, hung up by a string
to a small tree in a garden near Brighton for the benefit of the Titmice. The weather was exceedingly mild at
the time, and the sun shining brightly (February 7, IHSIj); so a scarcity of natural food could hardly have
iiillueneed its choice. The wind having twisted up the string round a limb, the Hunting was enabled fo reach
the meat, which while swinging was accessible only to the Paridtc, A hen sparrow was enjoying the feast in
perfect amity with the Bunting. I remarked that while the former attacked the fat alone, the latter was
tearing out small strands of meat from the lean.
I n the east of Norfolk this species is commonly spoken of as the Goldfinch,—•" Carduclte elegant " being
in thai locality termed the " Drawwalcr."
C I R L B U N T I N G .
EMBERIZA CIRLUS.
THE range of this species is, according to my own experience, exceedingly limited in Great Britaiu, With
the exception of Sussex, where the Cirl Hunting is common in certain localities, I have only met with a chanco
of observing this bird In the Isle of Wight. That it is an occasional visitor lo Norfolk, however, I am in
possession of good proof, having discovered a couple of fresh-killed females among a dozen Yellow Hunt ings and
other small birds, shot at my request by a farmer as food for an Owl I kept in confinement. This occurred in
the autumn of 1S7J, at Potter Ueigkam near Yarmouth. The birds were obtained feeding round a stack that
had been thrashed ; hut though I carefully watched the spot on the follow iug day (being aware the species
is considered rare iu the district), no other specimens were detected. In the winters of 1879, 'SI, and S2,
I again closely inspected the large numbers of Yellow ITaui rs frequenting the farm-buildings iu this
locality, but without recognizing the bird ; and doubtless it is but a rare straggler to the east of Norfolk.
In Sussex the Cirl Bunting is a resident, and may he found at all seasons in the country immediately north
of the range of the South Downs, being particularly abundant, within the distance of fifteen or twenty miles
from ltiightoli. I have seldom, if ever, noticed the bird further Inland than eight or ten mild from the
coast. During the summer a few make their appearance lo the south of the hills, and nest iu the immediate
vicinity of the seaside towns and villages. I have remarked these Buntings in a few instances as far cast
and west as Hastings and Boguor.
In autumn they collect in flocks, as many as fifty or sixty being seen at times in company. Yellow
Hammers and a few stray Chaffinches are occasionally to lie observed in close proximity, though for the most
part I have remarked that they appeared to prefer their own society. At this season they feed on the
stubbles, resorting for shelter to the hedgerows and coverts. 1 imagine these birds do not shin their quarters,
however severe the weather, beyond paj iug a visit to the farmyards, having met with them frequenting the
slopes cd the downs and the adjoining arable land from early in November till the end of February.
The nest much resembles that of the Yellow Hammer, though 1 have now and then noticed that the structure
exhibited a larger quantity of green moss in its composition than is commonly made use of by that species.
The quicksel edges alongside the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway are a very favourite breedingresort
for these birds. In the plantations on the sloping sides of the downs, nests may occasionally be seen
at an elevation of five or six feet in moss-grown and ivy-covered stumps of thorn. In the foliage of trained
rose-bushes, as well as among ferns and creeping plants on rockeries in gardens, the young have been
repeatedly reared iu the vicinity of Brighton.
The eggs vary fo a considerable extent, exhibiting several shades of colour, though in some instances they
correspond closely with those of the Yellow Hammer. The young shortly after being hatched arc thickly
covered with a dull black down, and show a large and clearly defined white gape.
The plumages of the female Cui Bunting and Yellow Hammer hear a very close resemblance. It is by no