452 EMBERIZA CIRLUS. 



Habits. — The deservedly celebrated ornithologist above 

 named was the first who discovered the Cirl Bunting in Bri- 

 tain, having in the winter of 1800 procured several specimens 

 killed in different places in the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge. 

 He subsequently observed it between Glastonbury and Bridge- 

 water, and states that it had been traced w^estward to Fal- 

 mouth, in Cornwall. Individuals have since been met with in 

 various parts of England ; but Devonshire and the neighbour- 

 ing counties appear to be its more peculiar residence, and there 

 it breeds and remains throughout the year. He states that '' it 

 generally builds in furze, or some low bush ; the nest being 

 composed of dry stalks, roots, and a little moss, and lined with 

 long hair and fibrous roots. The eggs are four or five in num- 

 ber, cinereous white, with irregular long and short curved 

 dusky lines, terminating frequently with a spot at one end ; 

 size rather inferior to those of the Yellow-hammer, to which it 

 bears great resemblance. These birds pair in April, and begin 

 laying early in May. Having taken the young, it was found 

 that insects were their most partial food, especially the common 

 Grasshopper. When they could peck, the smaller seeds were 

 acceptable, and canary the favourite ; of grain, wdieat and bar- 

 ley were rejected, but oats were greedily devoured after they 

 had dexterously and quickly deprived them of the outer coat. 

 The monotonous song of the male was incessant, and so shrill 

 and piercing as to be offensive. The female has only a simple 

 plaintive note." 



The Cirl Bunting inhabits the southern parts of the Euro- 

 pean continent, and does not migrate into the colder regions. 



