EMBERIZID.E. 205 



seldom venturing many miles into the interior. 

 Common during the breeding-season in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Chichester, Bognor, Worthing, and 

 Brighton, but not met with on the northern side 

 of the Downs of West Sussex. I have found 

 its nest in tall quickset hedges. It has been 

 discovered in the strawberry gardens at Preston 

 near Brighton, and in Stanmer Park. The nidifi- 

 cation of the cirl bunting is somewhat later than 

 that of the yellow hammer, seldom taking place 

 until May. In winter they are gregarious, and ac- 

 cording to my own observation they do not con- 

 gregate with other birds. In February, 1838, 

 when residing at Aldwick, near Bognor, I noticed 

 a small flock close to a newly cut hayrick, during 

 the prevalence of a cold easterly wind. 1 shot 

 two, a male and a female, and found their sto- 

 machs filled with hay-seeds. The next day the 

 weather was mild and the remainder departed. 

 Then succeeded a piercing north-easter, and they 

 reappeared in increased numbers at the rick, 

 but the scanty supply of their favourite food was 

 soon exhausted or blown away ; so I caused the 

 loft to be swept, and scattered a few handfuls 

 every morning at the foot of the stack. This had 

 the desired effect : the birds remained with me 

 until the return of mild weather about a week 



