4? 16 Some Account of the British Song Birds. 



The other larks common in the south of England are the 

 larger field lark and the yellow lark. The first is almost 

 mute, very like the titlark in colour and form, but nearly 

 twice the size. The second is an elegant little bird, having 

 somewhat of the appearance and action of the yellow-wagtail, 

 but of a much brighter yellow. Both make their nests in 

 fields of peas or vetches, and both migrate. There is also 

 what is called the red-legged or Yorkshire lark, sometimes 

 met with near London : but of its notes I am ignorant. The 

 two field larks, and the yellow one, have a habit, after alight- 

 ing, of moving their tails vertically, like some other soft-billed 

 birds : not in jerks, like the redbreast ; nor quivering, like the 

 redstart ; nor so quick as the wagtails ; but more gracefully, 

 like the wheatear. 



Emheriza M.ilidria, Corn Bunting, — This is a songster, but 

 of a low grade. He does not, however, seem to be aware of 

 this himself; for, like many pretenders of the superior creation, 

 he seats himself conspicuously on high, and boldly reiterates 

 his twittering unharmonious song. He also sings it as he flies 

 from spray to spray. 



Emheriza Citrinella^ the Yellowhammer, is very little superior 

 to his congener preceding ; but, as he assists in the general 

 chorus, deserves to be noticed. The cow-boys, from their 

 own feelings, no doubt, have composed words to his short 

 and plaintive song, viz. 

 Vivace. 



m 



^^m. 



A lit - tie bit of bread, but no cheese ! 



Emheriza Schoeniclus, Black or Coal-hooded Bunting. — 

 This quiet little bird pretends to sing, but his vocal powers 

 are very inferior indeed. Perched on a tuft of rushes he essays 

 at a few notes of feeble melody in a peculiar style : his rests 

 between each two notes being twice as long as the notes 

 themselves. 



Fringilla Carduelis, Gold/inch. — The brilliant colours, ele- 

 gant form, and constitutional delicacy of this beautiful little 

 bird make it universally noticed and prized by every lover 



by any writer. This other note is chiefly given when the bird is seated on 

 the top of a tree. It is a loud, liquid, guttural, quickly-shaken note, some- 

 where about A in alt. It is but seldom heard, and does not appear to be a 

 response to the common call. There is no way of ascertaining these mat- 

 ters but by the cruel expedient of shooting both birds, and dissecting them 

 to find the ovarv. 



