338 



MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATtONS. 



would seem to replace the yellow species, and to frequent the borders of 

 streams and rivulets, which I have never observed it to do in this country 

 As before remarked, I have constantly found it to affect umbrageous Elms, 

 evincing so marked a predilection for this particular tree that the species 

 might have been named very appropriately the Elm Bunting. 1 have re- 

 peatedly met with it, indeed with several individuals, singing from the tops 

 of a clump of Elms surrounding a farm-house, which, throughout the south 

 of England, is a very likely situation to meet with it. 



It is rarely noticed but within a few miles of the sea, and appears to be 

 iviost abundant in certain districts of the Isle of Wight. Near Chichester, 

 and again at Alton, it is not uncoinmon : and lately, while enjoying the view 

 from the summit of Selborne Church, I noticed two of them singing in the 

 vicar's garden beneath me, though the species was unnoticed by Gilbert 

 White. Proceeding inland it rapidly disappears, and at Godalming is ac- 

 counted a rare bird. Now and then a specimen is taken, mostly in winter, 

 by the London bird-catchers, who seem to consider it a prize; but it can only 

 be considered as a straggler near the metropolis. It is sparingly diffused 

 over the greater part of Hampshire, and also, I should suspect, Dorsetshire ; 

 but I cannot speak from personal observation to the westward of Hants. It 

 is popularly known in the Isle of Wight by the name "French Yellowham- 

 mer," and partially, both there and elsewhere, by the term " Blackthroated 

 Yellowhammer," which are the only provincial epithets I have heard applied 

 to it. The young appear to be extremely hardy ; for, during a pedestrian 

 tour, I carried one in a box in my coat-pocket for several days, feeding it on 

 what various fare I could pick up by the way. This bird is now alive and 

 healthy. I captured it near Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight. — Naturalist 

 for October, No. XIII. 



