REED HUNTING 



Emberiza sckcemclus 



III- Reed Bunting is one of the most widely distributed 

 of its genus throughout the British Islands and breeds 

 in most of the marshy districts in England and Ireland. 

 In Scotland it is widely distributed and breeds also on 

 most of the adjacent islands which are suitable to its 

 habits, including the Orkneys and the Outer Hebrides. 



The favourite haunts of the Reed Bunting during the 



breeding season are not far from water. It is very fond of the reed-covered 

 banks of slow running streams or the willow clumps on the shores of lochs, 

 the edges of the moorland among the reedy swamps or even the ditches 

 by the roadside. It is quite as much at home among the wilds of the 

 Highlands as it is on the low marshy broads in the South. During winter 

 the Reed Bunting forsakes its marshy haunts for the fields and hedges near 

 the stackyards, where it picks up the scattered grain and seeds in company 

 with other finches. It is not, as a rule, seen in flocks, but three or four pairs 

 are usually found associating with other species. It is a very lively bird 

 and is generally fairly tame, and each pair has its own particular haunt 

 during the nesting season from which they seldom stray. The flight is 

 undulating and rather jerky like that of most of the Buntings, and it is very 

 fond of clinging to some upright reed or twig. The cock is a very attractive 

 bird with his chestnut back and black head, and is usually seen sitting on 

 the top of some fence or bush not far from his mate, singing his simple 

 and somewhat monotonous song. The alarm-note is a long-drawn ' clieee' 

 or ' zeee: 



The food of the Reed Bunting consists chiefly of insect and larvae, 

 small worms, gnats, and fresh-water shells, and it may be seen chasing the 

 bright-coloured dragon-flies which flit about the reeds and iris clumps during 

 summer. During winter, when such food is not obtainable, they eat the 

 seeds of various grasses, and any scattered grain that may be found about 

 the stackyards or sheep-folds, where hay is put out for food. 

 2N 137 



