THE REED BUNTING 



Emberiza schceniclus 



This pretty Bunting is another widely dispersed 

 if somewhat local species. It is found in nearly all 

 suitable localities throughout the British Islands, in- 

 cluding even such remote and comparatively barren 

 districts as the Hebrides and the Orkneys, although 

 it is only a rare abnormal migrant to the Shetlands. 

 Outside our area the Reed Bunting occurs in most 

 parts of Europe, reaching as far north as the limits 

 of forest growth, and as far east as the valley of 

 the Yenesay, possibly beyond. To North Africa, 

 Greece, Asia Minor, Turkestan and North-west 

 India it appears to be a winter migrant only. 

 Owing to the presence of several closely allied races 

 or subspecies it is difficult to define the exact eastern 

 limits of the typical Reed Bunting ; but we may 

 assert that in one form or another it is found in 

 most parts of the entire Palaearctic region, south of 

 the limits of forest growth. 



This bird may very aptly be termed a "water-side " 

 Bunting, its favourite haunts always being near to 



