THE YELLOW BUNTING 191 



the top of some hedge, or even high up some tree, 

 repeating one Httle strain after the other with un- 

 wearying patience. The song consists of one rather 

 sweet note uttered many times in rapid succession, 

 concluded with two harsher notes, the last one 

 continued much longer than the rest. These two 

 notes at the close are sometimes omitted, but usually 

 when the singer has been interrupted for some 

 reason or other. Monotonous as this sone undoubt- 

 edly is, it still sounds very agreeably amongst the 

 first signs of spring ; it is a homely strain, yet one 

 that we may always associate with the opening year 

 with honest pleasure. This song may be said to 

 be punctuated with the prolonged call- notes chee- 

 chee-churj'ze. It is answered, too, by other Buntings 

 in the vicinity, bird after bird taking up the song 

 and uttering it almost in rotation. This Bunting is 

 perhaps less shy when singing than at any other 

 time ; but this to a great extent seems to depend 

 upon whether the bird is conscious of being seen. 

 The singer is often hidden amongst the branches, 

 and will continue repeating his music as long as you 

 fail to notice his actual whereabouts, but when this 

 is discovered, as likely as not he will immediately 

 cease and retire to a safer distance. 



The Yellow Bunting pairs early, and the nesting 

 season begins at the end of March or beginning of 

 April. The nest may either be made upon the 

 ground or at some distance above it. Perhaps one 



