THE SEED BUNTING. 225 



as far as Sweden, but Northern Asia also. It is a bird of 

 passage, departing during the month of October in small flocks, 

 and returning in March, in much greater numbers. The sexes 

 are separated in these migrations, which has probably given rise 

 to the incorrect statement that only the males are birds of pas- 

 sage. In winter they may be occasionally seen in company 

 with the Yellowhammer. They frequent marshy and reedy 

 places, on the banks of streams and ponds ; and though seldom 

 seen on trees, are said to climb up and down the bulrushes and 

 tall reeds. In the aviary, they may either be confined in a 

 cage, or allowed to range the room. 



Food. The Reed Bunting feeds not only on insects, but on 

 reed, rush, and grass seeds. 



When in confinement, it is exceedingly fond of the first uni- 

 versal paste mixed with poppy seed, and thrives on this diet 

 for five or six years, though, at the expiration of that period, 

 as I have frequently remarked, they generally die of atrophy, 

 or scald head. 



Breeding. It builds its nest near the water, among reeds 

 and rushes, and usually lays five or six eggs ; these are grey- 

 ish white, and marked with spots and indistinct streaks of 

 dark grey, and blackish brown. 



Mode of Taking. In autumn, the Reed Bunting may be 

 caught in the Chaffinch trap. It is found in the spring, when 

 showers of snow are falling, in company with the Yellow- 

 hammer, near barns and dung-hills, and may be caught there, 

 as well as in cleared spots in the fields, with nets and limed 

 twigs. Its call is Iss, Iss ! and it sometimes cries Reitsha ! in a 

 loud note. 



Attractive Qualities. The song of the Heed Bunting is al- 

 ternately low and shrill, and by its simple notes, Tete, toote! 

 interrupted by an occasional harsh cry of Reitsh! may be dis- 

 tinguished from that of every other bird. It sings throughout 

 the summer, by night as weU as by day. It is the tamest of 

 all Buntings, and is especially fond of music. This charac- 

 teristic, which I have remarked in many different birds, mani- 

 fests itself by a fearless approach to the instrument, and a 

 continual spreading out and closing of the tail and wing fea- 

 thers, apparently the expression of delight. The song of the 

 female is not so loud as that of the male. 



