ii6 TiiK Yki.low BrxTiNT, 



still fouder of spiders, and this fact should, I think, be taken into account when 

 summing up the virtues and vices of birds. If man would let nature alone, he 

 would find the balance perfect, but he interferes everywhere and makes a mess of it. 



In autumn and winter the Yellow Bunting feeds largely upon grain and seeds 

 of weeds, wandering over the country in flocks in company with Chaffinches, 

 Bramblings, etc. 



Although a beautiful bird, the wild caught Yellow Hammer never commands 

 a high price, bird-catchers generally being well satisfied to receive a sliilling for 

 a pair : the fact that the bird is not a fine singer parti}' accounts for this, but the 

 wildness of newly caught specimens is another serious drawback to the popularity 

 of this species ; inasmuch as, after weeks of confinement, it still rattles about its 

 cage whenever it is approached, uttering a whining sort of chirp. An aviary suits 

 it far better. 



In October, 1888, I purchased a pair from a bird-catcher, and turned them 

 into a large covered aviar}-: in the succeeding spring the}' built a typical nest 

 in an .irbor-vita ; but, as already related previously, a hen Hedge-Sparrow took 

 possession of this nest as soon as it was completed, and subsequently the unhappy 

 Buntings were a long time in deciding upon a new building-site ; towards the 

 end of July they selected a very damp corner on the ground behind a marsh-flag 

 and began to build ; they, however, never finished this nest, but continued to 

 carry about hay and straw in an undecided desultory manner until November, 

 when they finally gave it up as a bad job. Early in 1890, both birds died : 

 possibly they did not receive sufficient insect-food to keep them in good health. 



Cases have been recorded in which this species has been discovered sitting 

 upon eggs deposited in a slight depression on the bare ground ; there is no doubt 

 that the explanation of such behaviour is — that its nest has been taken. I once 

 removed a nest with three eggs from a hedge, and passing a day or two later saw 

 the bird sitting on a little platform of ivy twigs upon which the nest had been 

 partly supported ; as I approached she flew away, disclosing her fourth egg. 



