CORN BUNTING. 443 



cessations, but heavier and more steady or direct than that of 

 the Yellow Bunting, ^yhen surprised in a field, or roused 

 from a corn-yard, they fly off with a direct rapid motion ; but 

 often when an individual, which has been resting on a twig or 

 wall-top, starts away, it allows its feet to hang for a short time 

 before it commences its bounding flight. I believe there is no 

 other bird of the order with us that has this habit. 



The common note of the Corn Bunting is a strong c/mck or 

 chit, and its song consists of a hurried repetition of short un- 

 harmonious notes terminated by a protracted one. Although 

 somewhat similar to the song of the Yellow Bunting, it is by 

 no means so lugubrious ; but if not sufficiently melodious to 

 call forth exclamations of delight from him whose delicate ear 

 is hurt even by the jingle of the Lark, yet to those who love 

 to study nature in all her variety, it forms a pleasing counter- 

 part or contrast to the sweet notes of the mellow-throated 

 warblers, which, were there no harsh sounds, croaks, and 

 screams, would soon cease to aiFord us pleasure. We cannot 

 live on dainties. To the ornithologist the scream of the Heron 

 and Eagle, the croak of the Raven, the protracted howl of the 

 Northern Diver, the wail of the Kittiwake, the chatter of the 

 Magpie, and the chirp of the Sparrow, are as interesting as the 

 clear, mellow, and modulated song of the Thrush, filling the 

 lone valley at eventide with its soft echoes, and inspirinor a 

 love of solitude and quiet musing. The song of the Buntino-, 

 such as it is, may be heard occasionally at all seasons, espe- 

 cially in calm weather; but during the breeding time it is 

 more frequent, and then the male, perched on a wall, a stone, 

 a twig, or a tall- herbaceous plant, especially a dock or a bur, 

 continues to utter at short intervals his singular cry, which al- 

 though not loud extends to a great distance. 



The food of this species consists of seeds of grasses, polyo-ona, 

 rumieces. Cereal plants, and coleopterous insects. In winter it 

 becomes remarkably fat, and is superior as an article of food 

 to most of our small birds. It is usually shy, at all times 

 much more so than the Chaffinch, Yellow Bunting, or Lark ; 

 so that it is not very easily approached unless during the breed- 



