, THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 35 



BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 

 Emberiza melanocephala (Scop.). 



This Bunting is almost if not entirely peculiar to 

 the reeds, rushes and sedge in the marsh, where they 

 are always to be found ; they build their nests in low 

 bushes. I once saw one in some dead herbage thrown 

 up by the tide. 



YELLOW BUNTING. 

 Emberiza citrinella. Linn. 



The Yellow Bunting congregates with the Finches 

 on the stubble fields in winter, and not till the hedges 

 are well secured in leaf does the " Yellow-ammer " 

 think of building its nest in a low bush or hedge-bank, 

 oftentimes beside a public road. It flies from twig to 

 twig, or often upon the telegraph wires in front of you 

 as you walk, ride, or drive along the road. 



CIRL BUNTING. 

 Emberiza cirlus, Linn. 



There is only one patch in my district where the 

 Cirl Bunting is to be found, about a mile of trees and 

 bushes bordering the marshes in the vicinity of two 

 old decoy ponds ; I once found a nest containing eggs 

 in an old dried up decoy pond, it was built on the 



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