The Scottish Naturalist, ' 243 



57. Alauda arvensis, Linn. (Sky-Lark.) 



The Sky-Lark confines itself more to the arable part of the 

 district, and is consequently more abundant in the lower than 

 the higher parts ; but nowhere are they so numerous as formerly. 

 Many have the idea that this is owing to the great abundance in 

 late years of Starlings, which destroy their eggs. This I have 

 never proved to be the case ; and it may, I think, be attributed 

 much more probably to other causes, especially as for the last 

 year or two they seem to be again on the increase, while the Star- 

 lings certainly have not diminished. 



58. Emberiza citrinella, Linn. (Yellowhammer.) 



Of all our native birds, with the exception of the Chaffinch, 

 the Yellowhammer is perhaps the most abundant, braving our 

 very severest winters. In spring he graces our hedges and road- 

 sides in his bright yellow livery, and during the whole summer 

 through may be heard his rather monotonous song of chi7ig, 

 ching, chi//g, chee-e, from many a roadside tree, where he sits 

 perched on some prominent twig, with his full yellow breast 

 glistening brightly in the sun. 



59. Crithophaga miliaria, Gould. (Corn-Bunting.) 



The next on our list, the Corn-Bunting, is as sombre in its 

 plumage as the above is brilliant, but nevertheless makes itself, 

 like its congener, conspicuous by sitting solitary on some exposed 

 branch, or telegraph-wire (of which latter they seem peculiarly 

 fond), emitting from time to time its few short notes, and then, 

 suddenly darting off, settles in the middle of some neighbouring 

 field. Formerly this was a very common bird in all arable parts, 

 but has now become rare, and in many places entirely dis- 

 appeared, for which the Starling, as with the Lark, gets the 

 credit. The reason is much more likely to be found in the ex- 

 tensive drainage, and the filling up of all the old ditches, which 

 formed its special nesting-places. These have all disappeared, 

 and along with them the Buntings, except in a few localities in 

 some of the broader parts of the Carse of Gcwrie, and the neigh- 

 bourhood of some of the extensive fiats at the mouth of the Tay, 

 such as Barry and Tent's Muir. Though a solitary bird for the 

 most part of the year, in winter they are gregarious, associating 

 themselves with Greenfinches, Sparrows, and Chaffinches, fre- 

 quenting barn-yards and such places. Many of these, however. 



