REED BUNTING. 455 



Variations. — I have not observed any remarkable variations 

 in old birds. 



Changes. — The effect of the abrasion of the tips of the fea- 

 thers is very apparent in this species. In summer the plumage 

 of the head and throat is pure black ; the white band on the 

 neck unmixed ; but in other respects the colouring is nearly 

 the same. 



Habits. — The Reed Bunting is a very active bird, which 

 frequents marshy places, where it is seen perching on willows, 

 reeds, sedges, and other aquatic plants. Although shy, it is 

 easily shot, as it seems to consider itself safe at the distance of 

 thirty yards or so. Its flight is rapid and undulatory, like that 

 of the Yellow Bunting, and it alights abruptly, like it, expand- 

 ing its tail to break the descent, when the white of that part 

 becomes conspicuous. Its food consists of seeds, chiefly of 

 grasses, and of insects of various kinds. Although stationary 

 in England, this species is migratory in most parts of Scotland, 

 departing in October and reappearing about the beginning of 

 April. Individuals however are occasionally met with in the 

 southern parts during winter, and I have shot it near Edinburgh 

 in December, and aojain in the middle of ^larch. Its sono^, 

 which can scarcely be called pleasant, consists of several short 

 notes succeeded by a long one, being in character similar to 

 that of the Yellow Bunting, although less harsh, and is heard 

 at frequent intervals, the bird in the meantime perched on a 

 twig and remaining in a listless sort of attitude. In winter 

 these Buntings form small loose flocks, which break up to- 

 wards the end of ^larch, when the different pairs betake them- 

 selves to their summer haunts. 



It places its nest among aquatic plants, in a tuft of grass or 

 reeds, often fastening it to the stems of the latter, but as fre- 

 quently depositing it on the ground. At Ravelrig Bog, eight 

 miles from Edinburgh, celebrated for Corallorhiza innata, I 

 found a nest placed among sphagna, and overshadowed by the 

 stems and leaves of Comarum palustre ; and by Duddingston 

 Loch, another fastened at the height of more than half a foot, 



