CIRL AND CORN BUNTINGS 19 



Chief Features. — One of the few British birds which pairs for life. 

 May be easily distinguished by shape, size, and prominent white 

 rump when flying. Flight is heavy and hesitating. 



Plumage. — The male has a rosy-red breast, grey slate-coloured back, 

 white rump, and blue-black head, wings, and tail. The female 

 is much less gaudy, the whole being duller, and the breast is 

 warmish-brown and the upper" parts brownish-grey. Length. — 

 Six and a quarter inches. 



BUNTING, CIRL (Emberiza cirlus) 



Local Names. — Black-Throated Yellow Hammer, French Yellow 

 Hammer. 



Haunt. — Lanes, hedgerows, commons, stackyards, etc. 



Nesting Period. — May, June, and July. 



Site of Nest. — A low bush, or on the ground. A furze bush is a 

 favourite site. 



Materials Used. — Dried stalks, moss, roots, with a lining of hair 

 and roots. Sometimes no hair is used. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Dull white or bluish-grey in ground colour, 

 streaked, blotched, and spotted with dark brown, with patches 

 of ash-grey. More strongly marked and of a more bluish tinge 

 than those of the Yellow Bunting. 



Food. — Insects and seeds in Summer; seeds and grain in Winter. 



Voice. — The song is much like the well-known simple refrain of the 

 Yellow Bunting, but the two concluding notes are wanting. 

 This is a distinguishing characteristic. 



Chief Features. — Appears to be a more recluse species than its better- 

 known relative, and to haunt tall trees. A restless bird, and 

 requires careful watching before identity is certain. The black 

 streaks and black throat at once distinguish the male bird. 



Plumage. — Chestnut on the upper parts, with streaks of black. 

 The head and back of neck are olive, streaked in the same 

 manner as last mentioned; greenish-olive rump, with dusky 

 streaks; stripe over eye and one underneath, yellow; black 

 throat and a little further on a collar of pale sulphur-colour; 

 breast olive -grey; belly pale dull yellow. Female lacks the 

 black and yellow face markings. Length. — Six and a half inches. 



BUNTING, CORN (Emberiza miliaria) 



Local Names. — Bunting, Bunting Lark, Bush Lark, Clod Bird, 

 Common Bunting, Ebb, Horse Lark, Land Bunting, Scribbling 

 Lark, Stocking Weaver, Stone Chacker, Thistle Cock, Whisker 

 Bird, Writing Lark. 



B 



