THE BUNTING. 



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1 Common Bunting. 2 Yellow-hammer, male. 3 Ditto, female. 4 Black-headed Bnnting. 



The above are all English birds. They are usually placed between the Grosbeaks and the Finches, 

 the construction of the bill constituting its chief peculiarity, and marking it as a distinct tribe. The 

 Common Bunting is found in the corn-growing districts. Tn winter it generally becomes gregarious, 

 and may be seen in the company of Linnets, Chaffinches, and other birds. It is often brought to 

 market in winter and sold with Larks. Its plumage is brown, and it is considerably larger than any of the 

 family of Finches. The note of the Bunting is harsh and disagreeable. The Yellow-hammer, though not 

 a very interesting, is rather a pretty bird, the head being of a bright yellow, variegated with brown, and 

 the cheeks, throat, and lower part of the abdomen are quite yellow. In winter it is common in every 

 hedge. The song of the Yellow-hammer consists of little more than a monotone, repeated quickly several 

 times, some emphasis being laid on the last note, which is also at greater length. 



The Reed Bunting, a third variety, frequents marshes, and is rather a handsome bird, with a black head 

 It occasionally sings during the night. Montagu says that its song " consists only of two notes, the first 

 repeated three or four times, the last single and more sharp." An undeserved reputation as a good songster 

 is given to this bird. The reason is that the Sedge-warbler, whose merits as a vocalist are really superior, 

 frequents the same haunts as the Reed Bunting; and while the latter bird renders himself prominent 

 when singing, the Sedge-warbler utters his liquid, pleasant notes concealed from view. The Cirl Bunting, 

 which is scarcely found in any part of England except Devonshire, differs but little from the Yellow- 

 hammer in form. The Snow Bunting is an occasional visitant, being driven to the northern parts of Great 

 Britain only when the winters of a still higher latitude are more than usually intense. Its summer haunts 

 are within the Polar Circle, and it lives nearer the Pole than any other bird. It has its summer and 

 •vinter dress, the finer white, and the latter brown. 



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