THE COKN BUNTING. 181 



Oldcambus, and Penmansliiel, where Mr. Hardy says it may 

 be noticed sitting on dykes singing during summer, and on 

 the tops of bur-thistles in corn and hay fields.^ Dr. Stuart, 

 writing in 1885, mentions that it is constantly seen about 

 Harelaw,- near Chirnside, and on the 4th of January 1886 

 he records it as observed at Oldcastles.^ On the 20th of 

 February 1887 I saw a flock of about forty sitting on an 

 ash-tree at Coldlands, near the village of Auchencraw, and 

 heard some of them singing. 



The Corn Bunting is found in Berwickshire at all 

 seasons of the year, but it appears to be more plentiful in 

 autumn than at any other time. This may probably be 

 caused by our local birds receiving additions to their 

 numbers at that period, in the shape of migrants from the 

 north on their way southwards for the winter. It has not 

 been often found on migration at the Isle of May,*^ and 

 apparently has never been noticed at the Fame Islands, 

 while it seems to be a local migrant in Berwickshire, 

 removing from exposed to more sheltered localities during 

 winter. 



A favourite perch for this heavy-looking bird is the 

 top of a high hedge, or the copestone of a wall ; and 

 here in spring and summer it may be seen sitting at its 

 ease in a state of apparent self-contentment, uttering at 

 short intervals its monotonous, but, nevertheless, somewhat 

 pleasing song, which Mr. Hardy has happily likened to the 

 words, " Itzer-teesi-weesi-wees." It lives in pairs in spring 

 and summer, but congregates in flocks in autumn and 

 winter. During severe weather it sometimes visits stack- 

 yards in company with Chaffinches and other birds. The 



1 Mr. Hardy's MS. Notes. 



- Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xi. p. 239. ^ md_ vol. xi. p. 563. 



* One was seen at Isle of May on 19tli Dec. 1882. This is the first recorded 

 instance of its appearance there. One on 12th Feb. 1883 ; one on 6th April 

 1883 ; and two on 31st March \%M.— Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-86. 



