208 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE. 



until May. In winter they are gregarious, and 

 according to my own observation tliey do not 

 congregate with other birds. In February, 1838, 

 when residing at Aldwick, near Bognor, I noticed 

 a small flock close to a newly cut hayrick, during 

 the prevalence of a cold easterly wind. I shot 

 two, a male and a female, and found their sto- 

 machs filled with hay-seeds. The next day the 

 weather was mild and the remainder departed. 

 Then succeeded a piercing north-easter, and they 

 reappeared in increased numbers at the rick, 

 but the scanty supply of their favourite food was 

 soon exhausted or blown away ; so I caused the 

 loft to be swept, and scattered a few handfuls 

 every morning at the foot of the stack. This liad 

 the desired effect: the birds remained with me 

 until the return of mild weather about a week 

 afterwards ; and although a few chaffinches and 

 yellow hammers — uninvited guests — occasionally 

 obtruded on their little party, yet the cirl bunt- 

 ings seemed to avoid mingling with them, were 

 far more tame and confiding, and at last almost 

 disregarded my presence. 



Ortolan Bunting, Emheriza hortulana. Only 

 two examples of this bunting have been obtained 

 in Sussex — as far as I can learn. The first, which 

 is in the possession of Mr. W. Borrer, was shot on 

 the viaduct of the Brighton Railway, near the 



