146 catalogue of birds. 



The Reed-Bunting. 

 Family, Fringillidce. 



This species is resident with us in suitable localities 

 in most parts of the British Islands, its favourite 

 haunts being moist ground on the banks of small 

 streams or ponds bordered by alders, osiers, reeds, 

 and rushes. It is often called the Reed- Sparrow, 

 I suppose from its shape and plumage somewhat 

 resembling our cock Sparrow. Another local 

 name Black - Headed Bunting, which properly 

 belongs to a much rarer bird. The Reed- Bunting 

 is not so common as the Yellow Hammer or Yellow 

 Bunting. It is decidedly an active, restless little 

 bird, flitting along the banks of the stream, some- 

 times perching on the reeds or a bush ; its song 

 cannot be said to be of any account. 



Mr. W. H. Hudson says: "The nest is made 

 near the water, on, or close to the ground, under a 

 bush or bunch of rushes, and is composed of dried 

 grass and leaves, and stems of aquatic plants, and 

 lined with fibrous roots and horse hair. The eggs 

 are four to five in number, in ground-colour dull 

 white or grey, spotted and streaked with purplish- 

 brown and dull grey." In autumn the resident 

 birds are augmented by large flocks which land on 

 the east coast from the Continent. This species is 

 found generally throughout Europe, and in Asia 

 extends to the valley of the Yenesei. 



The specimen in the case was shot in Radnor- 

 shire. 



