120 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. ix. 



HIGH MORTALITY IN YOUNG YELLOW BUNTINGS. 



During July and August 1915 I have had under observation 

 aV)out a dozen nests of the Yellow Bunting (Emberiza r. 

 citrindla). all built within three-i]uarters of a mile along a 

 high road, about two iniles outside Shrewsbury. 



Although four or five eggs \\ere laid in eaeh nest, and in 

 the nuijoiity of cases four young birds were hatched; yet in no 

 instance did four Inrds reach a fully fledged condition. IMost 

 of the nests after a week from the time of hatching contained 

 two birds, and in some cases only one. As a great number 

 of motor cars pass along the road it occurred to )ne that the 

 small number of birds reaching a fully fledged state is due 

 to the action of the dust raised by these vehicles. 



Peihaps it may be that the l)irds hatched in August are 

 more weakly than those which come from earlier broods : 

 but considering that in the same month I have for.nd. in 

 hedges removed from the road-side, several nests containing 

 the normal number of young, I am inclined to think that the 

 suffocating action of dust is responsible for such a small 

 number of birds reaching a fully fledged state. A. Mayai.t.. 



UNUSUAL NESTING-SITE OF CIRL BUNTING IX 

 DORSETSHIRE. 



Having heard during the last few weeks a ( irl Bunting 

 {Emheriza cirlits) trilling out its song from the higher branches 

 of a roadside elm, and having made several luisuccessfnl 

 attempts at finding the nest, Avhich I felt siire was not far 

 off. I again visited the spot on August 18th, and after watching 

 for about half an hour caught sight of a small bird flying to an 

 isolated thorn-bush standing in a meadow adjoining the road- 

 side. On reaching the bush and looking u]) I saw the nest, 

 off which the fenuile Cirl sli])|^ed away. The ne.st, A\hich 

 contained one young one and two addled eggs, was situate<l 

 cjuite eight feet from the ground, a very unusual position. 

 I should imagine, for a (iil. The date may a])]iear rather 

 late to those unactiuaiuted with the nesting-habits of this bird, 

 but according to my own observations, nesting in August 

 is quite customary : in fact, during the last few years I have 

 found several nests containing fresh eggs during the first 

 half of that month. \\ . J. Ashford. 



WESTERN LARGE-BILLED W VA-A)- inXTIN( : 

 IN SUSSK.X. 



A MALE Lai'ge-billed Reed-Bunting (Emheriza palii-'-fn'.s) 

 was shot at Filsliain. Sussex, on Jaiuiarv Htli. 1915. I 



