BIRDS OF THE GARDEN 37 



Habits. Sociable, even in the breeding season. It 

 likes to hide among the leaves of some moderately "tall 

 tree, where, for hours, it will utter its " zshweer " note, 

 especially in sultry weather. In autumn and winter 

 they go about in foraging parties. In flight the yellowish 

 margins of the primaries are rather conspicuous, as is also 

 the yellower green of the tail. 



Food. Grubs, caterpillars, and various kinds of seeds. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods or more. 



Site. In the middle of thick hawthorn hedge in 

 dense evergreens ; in trees, amongst ivy, &c. 



Materials. Variable ; generally small twigs, roots, dry 

 grass, straw, and moss, lined with fine grass, hair, 

 feathers and wool. 



Eggs. Four to six. Like Linnet's, but larger. 

 Greenish white, spotted and speckled chiefly at large end 

 with purplish red and reddish brown. 



YELLOW BUNTING OR YELLOW HAMMER 



(Emberiza citrinella). 



Abundant throughout Great Britain. 



Haunts. Open country and well-cultivated districts. 



Plumage. Head, neck and under parts bright yellow, 

 more or less streaked with blackish ; upper parts chestnut 

 streaked with dusky ; white edges of tail conspicuous 

 in flight. Bill bluish. Legs pale brown. Length 6 in. 

 Female, much less yellow, and more streaked with reddish 

 brown. Young, like female in non-breeding dress, 

 i.e., more ashy on upper parts. 



Language. Song, the familiar " Little bit of bread and 

 no cheese," with the last syllable drawn out. Call-note, 

 " chick-chick-churr." 



Habits. Fond of perching on the top of a hedge or 

 gate-post, &c., to sing. Rather sedentary, but flight 

 fairly rapid and undulating. In autumn gregarious, 

 often consorting with the Finches. On the ground it 

 hops. 



