342 NOTES ON THE CIRL BUNTING. 



the Reed Bunting chink. The cry of the young differs only in being more shrill 

 and ear-piercing ; and, as you approach the nest, the parents utter, in addition 

 to this, a lengthened sibilous peep, or pseep, and not uncommonly feign lame- 

 ness to entice you from the spot, more especially when their young are first 

 stirring. The latter habit is less frequently noticeable in the Yellow Bunting ; 

 and Mr. Salmon records having once observed it in the Reed Bunting. I have 

 known both parents to act thus, in the present species ; and the consequence was, 

 I managed to capture two of their brood, of which one is now alive in my 

 possession. 



The nest is placed in similar situations to that of the Yellow Bunting, but, I 

 think, on the average, not quite so near the ground ; and usually at no great 

 distance from a clump or row of Elms, to which the male resorts to serenade 

 his mate. I have examined, in all, about a dozen specimens, which differed 

 exceedingly from one-another ; two were chiefly composed of green moss, and 

 lined with hair, while others contained not a particle of those materials, being 

 constructed of bents, and lined with fibrous roots ; they are uniformly, however, 

 smaller and less compact than those of the Yellow Bunting, but without so loose 

 an exterior. The eggs cannot always, with certainty, be distinguished from those 

 of the allied species alluded to ; but may generally be told by having the ground- 

 colour clearer, and inclining to bluish, whereas those of the Yellow Bunting have 

 commonly a reddish tinge ; the Cirl Bunting's eggs are also, on the average, a 

 trifle smaller, but numerous specimens occur which are undistinguishable. 



The young have no tinge of yellow in their nestling plumage, but their mark- 

 ings correspond with those of the adult female as observed in winter. During 

 the summer months the adults of course shed the terminal edgings of their 

 feathers to a considerable extent, so that the back of the male becomes of a 

 uniform rufous colour. I have noticed, in numerous instances, the parent birds 

 with Grasshoppers in their mouths, which I believe are the sole diet wherewith 

 they supply their progeny. On dissecting the adults I have found the remains 

 of Beetles in their stomachs, and towards harvest-time they feed principally on 

 the nearly ripe wheat. In winter they enter and search stackyards, when the 

 weather is severe, but do not usually flock with other species. I am informed 

 that they are particularly partial to the seeds of Sorrel, insomuch that a few dry 

 plants of this mingled in a hay-rick are sure to attract their attention. They 

 would appear to be rather more sprightly in their deportment than the Yellow 

 Bunting ; though probably this arises merely from their timidity, and suspicious- 

 ness of being approached. 



The geographic range of the Cirl Bunting extends to Asia-Minor, where, 

 according to Mr. Strickland, it would seem to replace the Yellow species, and to 

 frequent the borders of streams and rivulets, which I have never observed it to 



