GIRL BUNTINGS IN SUSSEX 73 



numerous, Yellowhammers are correspondingly 

 scarce. Indeed, very occasionally, I have known 

 the former to outnumber the latter : and, in any 

 case, even with both species frequenting the same 

 area, each sort often seems to possess certain 

 vested rights in a particular spot, though some- 

 times I have found the nest of both kinds within 

 a few yards. On the other hand, I have still to 

 find two pairs of " Girls " breeding in really close 

 proximity (I once knew of two nests within 150 

 yards, though, of course, this is not really dose), 

 as is often the case with the Yellowhammer. 

 Indeed, I have often discovered two Yellow- 

 hammer's homes within a very few yards. 



In conclusion, it has been said that the " Girl ' 

 never appeared in Britain until about the year 1800. 

 This I refuse to believe, though I can well imagine 

 that it was overlooked until that epoch ; in which 

 event, Gilbert White good observer though he 

 was must have failed to separate the " Girl " from 

 the Yellow Bunting, since at the present era the 

 former species is well represented in and around 

 Selborne : but, of course, the bird may have found 

 its way to that district since his time. Naturally, 

 the Yellowhammer was there always. 



