CIRL BUNTING. 59 



mischievous. The description of the situation its nest is usually 

 found in, is well given by Grahame : 



Up from that ford a little bank there was, 

 With alder-copse and willow overgrown, 

 Now worn away by mining winter floods ; 

 There at a bramble root, sunk in the grass. 

 The hidden prize of withered field straws formed, 

 Well lined with many a coil of hair and moss. 

 And in it laid five red-veined spheres, I found. 



— Birds of Scotland. 



EMBERIZA CIRLUS— CiRL Bunting. 



This bird is a native of the county, and not an occasional 

 visitant. It is more shy than the Yellow-hammer, and thus 

 perhaps not so often observed. "Anyone," says Mr. Ley, "who 

 can distinguish its note," will come to the conclusion that it is not 

 an uncommon bird in Herefordshire. It takes up its residence in 

 certain localities, where it is always to be seen year after year. 

 The male bird selects a favourite tree, from which to sing its 

 monotonous song. This song is somewhat like that of the Yellow 

 Hammer, without the long final note, and is given doubtless for 

 the delectation of its mate seated on her eggs. There is one such 

 selected spot on the Callow Pitch ; another at Birch ; another at 

 King's Caple; another at the Chase, Ross, and probably many 

 others. The nest is very difficult to find ; one was found with eggs 

 in it close to Mitcheldean-road station in 1880. 



[Emberiza hortulana — Ortolan Bunting. 

 South and East of England. 



[Emberiza rustica — Rustic Bunting.] 

 Brighton and Yorkshire. 



[Emberiza pusilla — Little Bunting.] 

 Brighton, 1864. 



