BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 265 



finch ; the two cannot be confused by any one who 

 has given them the sHghtest attention. A popular ren- 

 dering of the song is : ' Little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese.' 

 It might, of coui-se, be just as well syllabled in a dozen 

 other ways ; but such renderings are of no value except 

 as aids to the memory ; to convey an idea of the song 

 to a reader who by any chance did not know it they 

 are totally insufficient. The song is uttered persistently 

 from telegraph-wires, prominent sprays of furze, wall-tops, 

 posts, or other perches, as opportunity offers. It is most 

 frequently heard in early summer, but also under favour- 

 able weather conditions at almost any time except during 

 a few weeks in late summer and early autumn. 



The nest of the Yellow-Hammer resembles that of 

 the Corn-Bunting, and it is usually similarly placed, but 

 is sometimes in a bush or low tree several feet from 

 the ground. The Yellow-Hammer's four or five eggs 

 show the characteristic scribblings, but are rather vari- 

 able in colour. Nesting begins earlier than in the case 

 of the other, the first eggs being laid about mid-April, 

 and two or more broods are produced in a season. 

 Both parents take part in incubation, which lasts for a 

 fortnight. 



THE CIRL=BUNTINQ 



(Emberiza cirlus). 



Plate 89. 



Little need be said about the Cirl- Bunting, for, 

 although it is a conmion British resident species, its 

 range as such is very restricted. It is fomid nesting 

 only in the southern counties of England and Wales, 

 and does not penetrate into the central Midlands. North 



2h 



