1 68 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



as they are, to the ear of the lover of animated nature 

 they prove ever grateful. When the bird is engaged in 

 song, provided you advance with cautious step and slow, 

 you may succeed in getting quite close to him, and 

 observe him minutely. I would here remark that when 

 a bird is singing, though it be a shy and retiring species, 

 it will admit of a much nearer approach than when 

 silent. I have advanced within a few feet of the shy 

 and retiring Blackbird when singing, simply by advanc- 

 ing when the bird was pouring out his song, and remain- 

 ing silent and motionless between each snatch of 

 melody. 



The Common Bunting pairs annually, rather later 

 by the way than the Yellow Bunting, and its nest is 

 seldom commenced until the latter end of May, when 

 the spring corn affords it plenty of seclusion. This bird 

 has seldom been known to build a nest otherwise than 

 on the ground. We may find the Yellow Bunting's 

 abode some feet above it, but rarely indeed do we see 

 the home of its larger congener in such situation. It 

 is often placed in the middle of the field, or often but a 

 few yards from the hedge, sometimes down the hedge- 

 row side, under a spreading bramble : it matters little. 

 The nest is made of a few straws taken from the manure 

 with which the field was spread, and grasses, and lined 

 with fibrous roots 'and a few horsehairs. The eggs are 

 from three to five in number, and of course much larger 

 than the Yellow Bunting's, otherwise they very closely 

 resemble them. When you approach their nest the parent 

 birds become very anxious, flitting from spray to spray, or 

 wheeling round you in the air ; but these motions are 

 only observed after their silent protective wiles have 

 failed, for the Bunting is a close sitter, and will allow you 

 to almost tread upon her ere she rises. 



