SS^ ^^^ /m// Naturalist. 



Bunting, of which I have had a pair, which died last winter, 

 differs little, either in habits or appearance from the Yellow 

 Ammer. It is, however, a more delicate bird in every way — 

 in voice, in appearance, and in health. I obtained my speci- 

 mens from Devonshire — a journey they bore very w^ell — 

 probably because they do not seem to care much for water, 

 but cold seemed to affect them more than it did any other kind 

 of Bunting. The voice was soft and sweet, but of neither 

 much quantity nor quality to boast of. The Reed Bunting, 

 with its general resemblance to a Sparrow, his black cap, and 

 sprightly habits, is a very interesting bird. He is very fond 

 of water, and visits the bath oftener than any other bird, but 

 he does not bathe so thoroughly as the Brambling, or even 

 as the Yellow Ammer. He sings on into the night, with 

 somewhat hurried, but soft notes, and he has a most harsh 

 disagreeable call whenever disturbed whilst singing. Next 

 to the Yellow Ammer in beauty of plumage comes the 

 Snow Bunting. Of this kind I have got four specimens — 

 two having been obtained from England, and the other two 

 purchased on the street in Dublin. The cock of this latter 

 pair is the most beautiful bird of the kind I have 3'et seen, 

 and the largest too. The wings and abdomen are pure white, 

 whilst the rest of the plumage is like that of the hen, of a 

 rusty reddish colour. The bird has not got much of a voice, 

 and seems deficient in powers of flight, the hens, though 

 perfectly well, never even flying up to the seed trough, so 

 that I have to scatter food on the boards for them. The cock, 

 too, prefers remaining on the ground, though he does perch 

 when I enter the cage, which the hens never do. 



GEOLOGY FOR RAILWAY TRAVELLERS. 

 Scenery and Ceologry in County Antrim. By Grenvii^IvE A. J. 

 Coi.K,F.G.S.; pp.19; Belfast: Printed for the Belf.& N. Cos. R. Co., 1895. 



The issue of such a pamphlet as this by an Irish railway company is an 

 encouraging sign of the times, for it shows us that the high interest of 

 the geological structure of north-eastern Ireland is expected to attract 

 not a few travellers. Prof. Cole, in the clear style which our readers 

 know so well, sets fofth the main points in the history of Co. Antrim, as 

 told by the rocks, and the tourist who is furnished with this little guide 

 will get truer and higher pleasure from his examination of the scenery 

 than the idle sightseer. We trust that the enterprise of the Northern 

 Counties Railway will be abundantly justified. 



