178 BIRDS. 



The Cirl Bunting, distinguislied by the yellow collar, 

 black throat, and yellow lines round the eye, breeds south 

 Cirl of the Thames, but is a straggler only to Scot- 



Bunting, lo^n^ and Wales, and is unknown in Ireland. 

 It feeds on grain. The nest is not unlike that of the last, 

 but is placed a trifle higher. BgffSj 4 or 5, i inch ; greyish, 

 with very dark markings. 



Ortolan. — An irregular visitor on migration to the south 

 of England, twice recorded from Scotland, and once from 

 Ireland. 



Hustle Bunting. — A rare straggler from Northern 

 Europe, which has been recorded only three times. 



Little Bunting. — A rare straggler from Northern 

 Europe, recorded once. 



A common resident, breeding everyw^here in the British 

 Islands except in the Shetlands, the Reed-bunting is dis- 

 tinguished by its black head and throat and 

 bunting white breast and collar. It is also known as 

 the "reed -sparrow"; while in some parts it 

 goes by the name of "Black-headed bunting," which is to 

 be regretted on account of the confusion risked with the 

 straggler properly so called. It feeds on aquatic larvae 

 and molluscs ; in winter, on seeds. The nest, placed low 

 down in the reeds, is of dry reeds lined with hair and 

 down. Eggs^ 4 or 5, ^ inch; grey, with deep brown 

 spots. Two or more broods are reared. 



Lapland Bunting. — An irregular wanderer from the 

 Arctic regions to the south of England. It has occurred 

 twice in Scotland and once in Ireland. 



The Snow-bunting must be regarded as a winter visitor 



to the northern portions of the British Islands, although 



it has long been known to breed in the Shet- 



tSnow- lands and on the mainland in Sutherland and 

 bunting. 



Banffshire. Large flocks visited Highgate in 

 February 1895. It is a handsome black-and-white bird 



