THE YELLOW HAMMER 277 



old and young birds live upon insects largely, as well 

 as the seeds of baneful weeds, and it has been estimated 

 with us that the good it does far outweighs any harm 

 which the farmer suffers through it. 



The Yellow Bunting, well known under its universal 

 name of Yellow Hammer, says "A Son of the Marshes," 

 " is a very handsome bird and a very common one. The 

 plumage is splashed with rich yellows, warm red-browns 

 and darker streaks; this is his nesting suit. In winter 

 the colouring is not quite so gay. Where farms or 

 farm-buildings show, you will be sure to find Yellow 

 Hammers round about them. Stand just inside the 

 stable, after the horses have left it in the morning for 

 their work in the fields, and look at the birds gathered 

 round the open door, all busily picking up the grains of 

 oats that have fallen from the nose-bags. A fine mid- 

 April morning suits the bird to perfection, for he droops 

 his wings, spreads his tail out, and glides here and there 

 pecking up as he goes, in the most dainty manner. 

 Then, for a time, he visits the trees. 



The lowering of the wings, until they almost touch 

 the ground, and the spreading out of the tail, is a 

 peculiar trait seen more or less in the whole of the 

 Bunting family. 



Trees and fields are necessary to the well-being of the 

 Yellow-Hammer, which may be considered one of the 

 farmer's friends; for at certain seasons he, as well as 

 others of his family, live in the fields, only leaving them 

 to rest, or roost in the trees that surround them. 

 Innocent as the creature is in all its ways and means of 

 living, superstitition has linked its name with evil. I 

 have been assured, in the most solemn manner, that the 



