466 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Harley states that it appeared in Leicestershire in 1849. With 
reference to this statement the late R. Widdowson wrote me, 
** A pair of Parrot Crossbills, killed close to Melton, are in the 
Bickley collection.” 
Loxia curvirostra, Linn. Crossbill.—A rare visitant, but has 
bred in the county. During the winter of 1839-40 Crossbills 
visited us in large flocks, and many were captured in various 
parts of the Midland counties. Harley recorded for the first time 
its nidification in Leicestershire in the summer of 1889. A pair 
of Crossbills took up their residence in a fir plantation sur- 
rounding the northernmost part of Bradgate Park, not far from 
a farmhouse known as “ Hall Gates.” The nest was fixed on the 
branch of a thick fir, some twelve or thirteen feet from the 
ground. The young were fledged, and disappeared with their 
parents. In February, 1854, Crossbills visited us in smali flocks. 
Mr. Macaulay reports having seen one, in 1881, on August 11th, 
an unusual date at which to meet with it. 
Emberiza miliaria, Linn. Corn Bunting (“ Common Bunting,” 
‘Bunting Lark,” ‘ Writing Lark.’”’). — Resident and generally 
distributed, but not numerous. Turner tells me of a pied variety 
of this bird which he saw caught in this county some five years ago. 
Emberiza citrinella, Linn. Yellowhammer (Yellow Bunting, 
“Writing Lark,” as the preceding, in allusion to its eggs).— 
Resident and commonly distributed. 
Emberiza cirlus, Linn. Cirl Bunting.—Rare. Has occurred 
but once, on the authority of Harley, who says that he met with 
it a few years since, in company with the Yellow Bunting, in the 
lordship of Thurmaston. 
Emberiza hortulana, Linn. Ortolan.—A rare winter visitant. 
The late Mr. R. Widdowson, of Melton Mowbray, knew of two 
“killed with Larks ; both young.” 
Emberiza scheniclus, Linn. Reed Bunting.* (“ Reed Spar- 
row.’).— Resident and generally distributed. I have found it 
breeding in the Castle reed-bed, Leicester, as well as at Aylestone, 
and have seen flights of immature birds at Saddington, Bos- 
worth, &e. This bird occasionally breeds away from water ; 
Davenport records a nest of five eggs, built in a spinney at Ash- 
* This bird is often called in error the ‘‘ Black-headed Bunting,” a term 
properly applied to L. melanocephala, a doubtful British bird, which is yellow 
breasted, with a black head, 
