150 



BRITISH BIRDS 



Cirl Bunting. 

 Emberiza cirlus. 



FIG. 52. CIRL BUNTING. natural size. 



Crown olive streaked with black ; throat, neck, and band across 

 the eye black ; gorget and band above and below the eye bright 

 yellow ; breast olive-grey, bounded at the sides by chestnut ; belly 

 dull yellow ; back brownish red with dusky spots. Female : the 

 distinct patches of black and yellow wanting ; the dusky spots on 

 the back larger. Length, six and a half inches. 



This bird, in its dress of many colours chestnut-brown, olive, 

 black and white, and lemon-yellow is the handsomest of the British 

 buntings. It is an uncommon species, being restricted to the 

 southern and western counties of England, and exceedingly local in 

 its distribution. It is, moreover, of a shy disposition, and hides from 

 sight in tall trees ; consequently it is seldom seen, and is known to 

 few persons. It is resident all the year. Its winter movements, if 

 it has any, are not known. The curious fact about this bunting 

 is that its breeding-places, which form small isolated areas, chiefly 

 on or near the south-western coast, remain year after year un- 

 changed. The birds do not nest outside of the old limits, nor do 

 they form fresh colonies in other suitable places. 



Hedgerow- elms, and other large trees growing near fields, are 



