THE NATURALIST. 



NOTES ON THE CIRL BUNTING. 

 By Edward Blyth. 



As the peculiar habits of the Cirl Bunting cause it to be little noticed by 

 ordinary observers, even in localities where it is quite common, a minute descrip- 

 tion of them may possibly lead to its discovery in districts where its presence 

 has been hitherto unsuspected. 



This local species is much more shy than the Yellow Bunting, and also 

 considerably more arboreal ; chiefly frequenting the leafy summits of Elm trees, 

 where, difficult to discern amid the dense foliage, it reiterates its monotonous 

 lay at brief intervals, in the manner of its congeners. It is a surprisingly timid 

 species, and consequently by no means easy to procure in the summer months, 

 except by the unfair method of watching near the nest. I have watched hours 

 in the futile endeavour to procure a specimen, when as many as five were singing 

 within hearing. 



Its song-note is compared by Montagu to that of the Whitebreasted Fauvet, 

 by Gould to that of the Common Chaffinch. Mr. Hoy, and also myself, have 

 likened it to the well-known chaunt of the Yellow Bunting, but without its finish. 

 It is delivered more rapidly, however, than the ordinary note of the last- 

 mentioned species, and without the tingle which usually characterizes the latter. 

 It has sometimes reminded me of part of the shivering cry of the Grove Petty- 

 chaps (Sylvia sibilatrix) ; and, to offer yet another comparison, the Green 

 Grosbeak will occasionally emit a note not very unlike it. Those who are 

 skilled in the language of our native birds will, I am sure, not fail to recognise 

 it from this description. Little musical as are any of the Bunting genus, E. 

 cirlus is to me the least so of the five British species. I have noticed that it 

 sings more habitually in the afternoon than at any other time, though in 

 districts where the species is tolerably common, some may be heard at all hours 

 of the day. They continue in full song till the middle or end of August, or 

 until the period of their autumnal moult, which then takes place. In several 

 which I killed in the beginning of that moult, no indication of change of plumage 

 was perceptible. 



When flying across a field, the chirp which it utters is sharper than that of either 

 of the other Buntings, and may be likened to the sound stip : the analogous note 

 of the Yellow Bunting is more like ckig r that of the Corn Bunting zit ; and of 

 No. 13, Vol. II. 2z 



