THE REED-SPARROW. 29 



THE REED-SPARROW. 



The REED-SPARROW (Emberiza sch&niclus), or the Bunting 

 of the Bulrushes ; family, Emberizidce ; also known as the 

 Reed Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Black Bonnet, and 

 Coaly Hood, is common enough on most of our rivers. The 

 male bird, with his black head 

 and throat and white collar, is a 

 prominent object as he flits from 

 reed to reed by the side of the 

 river, lake, or marsh ; he is also 

 very fond of osier-beds, flags, 

 and rushes. Not much of a 

 songster; but a very persistent 

 performer whilst his mate is sit- 

 ting. Naumann gives his song, 

 Zja-til-tai, zississ-tai, zier-zipiss, THE REED-SPARROW. 



loud, and with a kind of stammer- 

 ing. Its call-note is like the word " Tscheeh" 



The bird is not very shy ; indeed, we have seen the 

 cock bird sitting on a reed uttering its call-note with a fly- 

 fisher not fifteen yards off, and not at all scared by the line 

 passing close to him. The nest is placed close to the 

 ground, often under the grass which covers the banks of 

 water- courses in the meadows. Eggs purplish pale brown, 

 slotched and streaked. There are often two, or even 

 three, broods in the year. The female, if disturbed when 

 hatching, shuffles off as if her wing was broken, and 

 tumbling about, endeavours to draw the intruder from 

 the nest. 



In the winter months it consorts with other buntings 

 and pipits, and frequents the high lands near sheepfolds, 

 and in very severe weather may be found about the farm- 

 yards and rick-yards with the finches and sparrows. Its 

 food is then chiefly graminivorous, whilst in summer it lives 

 on insects, larvae, and small snails. 



