ORNITHOLOGY OF ST. ANDREWS. 289 



singing on the ground, when I think there is a greater variety of notes than when 

 soaring in the air ; but this may be in consequence of their notes being more 

 distinctly heard. 



Com Bunting, Emberiza miliaria. — Very common here at all seasons, although 

 not quite so abundant in winter as at other times. During the spring and sum- 

 mer it may be seen perched on the most prominent twig of a hedge or bush, or as 

 frequently on the top of any strong weed (such as the Common Dock) in the 

 Corn-fields that may be higher than the Corn. There seated, he goes over his 

 song, if song it may be called. He is not, however, easily disturbed, for he will 

 generally allow you to be close upon him before he flies off, and he seldom flies 

 far if there is any prominent twig near, on which he alights, and again resumes 

 his song. 



Yellow Bunting, Emberiza citrinella. — This beautiful Bunting is very plentiful 

 in this district, and may be seen in abundance at all seasons. During the win- 

 ter they generally fly in large flocks along with the Chaffinch, Whin Linnet, and 

 Green Grosbeak. In the British Song Birds, page 195, it is stated that its song 

 is first heard in April. This is evidently a mistake,* as I heard it singing this 

 year (in which all the birds have been late in commencing to sing) on the 3rd 

 of March, and you mention in The Naturalist, Vol. II., page 54, having heard it 

 last year on the 13th of February. The most common situation for its nest here 

 is the sides of ditches, the bottoms of hedges, and Whin-bushes, but I have also 

 frequently found it in Strawberry-rows. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla cozlebs. — This pretty little bird is very common here at all 

 seasons. It is stated in the British Song Birds, page 350, that the nest " is 

 rarely met with in hedges of any kind."t This is by no means a rare occurrence 

 here, for I find every year a great many of their nests in a hedge (composed of 

 Beech, Hawthorn, Privet, and Holly) surrounding the garden. The nest in this 

 hedge is most frequently built on the Beech. I have frequently found it on 

 Hawthorn hedges. It often builds on the Alder and Apple trees ; I have seen 

 its nest on a wall fruit-tree, and once found one between fifteen and twenty feet 

 from the ground, on a large Beech-tree, close to the main stem. 



Goldfinch, Carduelis elegans. — Not a common bird here, but may occasionally 

 be seen. A few of them remain with us during the winter, when they may be 

 seen in pairs flying about the heads of withered Thistles, picking the seeds that 

 may still remain in them. 



* Like many other of our native songsters it resumes its notes with the first indications of a 

 return of spring weather ; and, like them, frequently again becomes mute in case of, a relapse of 

 rude north or east winds. The regular setting-in of its song for the season therefore depends 

 mainly upon the weather. — Ed. 



t v We have found it in hedges, but certainly not commonly.— Ed. 



