THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 47 



CIRL BVNTmG.—Emherisa ciiim, Limi. 

 A RESIDENT species, of somewhat partial diffusion. 

 Judging from my own experience alone, I should 

 consider this a scarce bird ; for, even allowing for 

 increased numbers in some years, it is never really 

 abundant in my own district, though a few individ- 

 uals come under my notice at all seasons. Opinions 

 must vary with circumstances. Mr. Rawson, 

 for example, having paid special attention to the 

 Cirl Bunting, considers that it is well distributed in 

 both North and South Devon, especially the former, 

 and that it is a much more common bird than most 

 people imagine. Mr. Mitchell independently offers 

 exactly the same opinion as to N. Devon, though 

 he finds its numbers decrease in the centre and west 

 of the county. It may be considered as irregularly 

 distributed within our faunal limits. Though now 

 a well known hreeding bird, its presence in Devon 

 was first ascertained in winter ; by Montagu, who shot 

 a couple of specimens in the winter of 1800. At this 

 season Cirl Buntings wander through our fields in 

 small flocks, sometimes associating with Yellow 

 Buntings. It breeds early, nesting in similar 

 positions to those adopted by the Yellow Bunting, 

 on a bank, or near the bottom of a hawthorn hedge, 

 or some kindred situation, and two broods are 

 usually reared, The female, when incubating, sits 

 closely, and will permit of a very near approach. 

 The song of the male commences early in the year, 

 and is usually delivered from the lower branches of 



