THE REED BUNTING 201 



water of some description. It is a frequent resident 

 in and about large brick and clay fields, loves the 

 banks of reed-fringed, slow-running rivers, ponds 

 and canals ; whilst in more remote localities it may 

 usually be found on rough swampy ground and 

 marshes. We remember to have found the Reed 

 Bunting very common in certain bogs in Skye, 

 where it was a most familiar species, frequenting 

 the rough ground just outside the huts of the crofters, 

 tame and confiding as the House Sparrow in more 

 cultivated districts. It is by no means a shy bird, 

 and it may often be seen clinging to some tall weed 

 in a Stonechat sort of way, taking short flights from 

 one stem to another, and looking very conspicuous 

 in its strongly contrasted black and white dress. 

 During summer this Bunting is generally met with 

 in pairs, and very pretty lively little birds they are, 

 ever and anon taking short flights or perching in 

 the most exposed situations, seeming to court 

 observation and notice. Frequently they may be 

 seen clinging to some reed or willow, which bends 

 nearly double under their weight, hanging over the 

 water. If approached too closely they retire in 

 undulatory flight still further down the river-side 

 and again alight to await our advance. Again 

 and again this may be repeated, until at last the 

 birds make a detour across the water and return to 

 their original starting-place. In autumn the birds 

 become more or less gregarious and social, often 

 consorting with other Buntings and with Larks. 



