206 • Transactions of the [Sess. 



curious tale of extraordinary action in bird life, yet at the same 

 time it is hardly just to condemn everything in that way that we 

 may not happen to have ourselves observed, as both birds and 

 animals sometimes perform manoeuvres that it may not be the lot 

 of an observer to notice in a lifetime. Indeed, it is beyond dispute 

 that exigencies may arise when they are forced out of their ordi- 

 nary rut into adopting tactics, in the interests of self-preservation, 

 that are, as a general rule, foreign to their natures. The following 

 device, however, is undoubted : when a person advances too near 

 the nesting-ground to be pleasant, the bird — sometimes the male, 

 and sometimes the female — takes up a prominent position on the 

 top of a bush or bunch of rushes, and continues chirping to attract 

 attention, at the same time exhibiting great reluctance to move to 

 any distance, although closely approached. The individual, unless 

 previously imposed upon, naturally jumps to the conclusion that 

 the nest is very near at hand to the place where the bird is perched ; 

 but it is needless to say that such is not the case, and that this 

 performance is only a ruse to deceive him as to its whereabouts. 

 Its vocal powers are not extraordinary, but are superior to those 

 of the last. The song, so-called, consists of a few notes strung 

 together, and ending, as usual with the Buntings, with a longer 

 note ; but having regard to the somewhat uninviting surroundings 

 of its habitat, it is rather pleasing than otherwise, there being a 

 certain plaintiveness of tone that accords well with those precincts. 

 In all its actions it is lively, and has none of the heavy lumpiness, 

 so to speak, that pertains to the Corn-Bunting. During winter 

 numbers collect in bands, and seem for the time being to forsake 

 their natural sphere and roam about the country, visiting stack- 

 yards and other unlikely places. One New Year's Day lately I was 

 rather surprised to see a large flock in a district where I never 

 anticipated encountering them — namely, a wide stretch of high- 

 lying muirland, midway between Leadburn and the foot of the 

 Moorfoot Hills, bearing the classic name of Cockmuir. If any 

 present are acquainted with that delightful spot, they will doubt- 

 less incline to the belief that the being there at all at such an 

 inclement season of the year showed a decided want of sense in 

 both birds and man, as it may safely be affirmed, without fear of 

 contradiction, that it would be difficult to discover a bleaker or 

 more " God-forgotten " tract of country in all the lowlands of Scot- 

 land. They were in company with Yellowhammers, Greenfinches, 

 and Chaffinches ; but what they were obtaining in the edible way 

 was not very easy to determine, unless it were the seeds of coarse 

 grass, or perchance aquatic insects in the bogs. The Eeed-Bunt- 

 ing may be seen in suitable localities all over Scotland, but would 

 appear to shift about a good deal from one district to another during 

 winter — the supply of food, no doubt, regulating its movements. 



