84 On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Emherizidce\. 



low hedge, uttering its somewhat harsh screaming note. It is the 

 largest of the family, and remains with us throughout the year : 

 it is known also as the "Corn Bunting" and the "Bunting lark." 

 " Blackheaded Bunting " (Emberiza schce^niclus) called also the 

 Heed Bunting from the localities it frequents, and the Reed Sjoar- 

 row from its general resemblance to our common House Sparrow. 

 This bright handsome bird may be met with sparingly wherever 

 there is water : indeed I have often seen it frequenting a dry ditch, 

 and have found its nest at some distance from the nearest stream : 

 it delights however in moist wet places, abounding in sedge and 

 reeds and coarse grass, and here you may generally see its black 

 head standing out in contrast with its white collar. 



" Yellow Bunting " {Emberiza citrinella) well known to every 

 body as the Yellow Hammer, though here we have an instance of 

 a general error so universally propagated that any eflfort to correct 

 it would seem almost hopeless : yet in truth Yellow Ammer is the 

 correct word, ammer being the German term for Bunting, which is 

 undoubtedly meant by the generic name we ordinarily employ, 

 prefixing an unnecessary and meaningless H after the manner of cer- 

 tain of our provincial countrymen. The Yellow Bunting may be 

 met with in every hedge and wood during the summer, and in 

 winter it may be seen in flocks on the bushes and in the open fields, 

 occasionally resorting to the stack yard in severe weather ; and a 

 very beautiful bird it is with golden yellow head and chesnut and 

 yellow plumage, and highly would it be prized was it not so com- 

 mon : but alas ! with birds as with human beings, we are apt to 

 overlook the brightest and best, if they are ever before our eyes, 

 whereas we highly prize and bestow abundant attention on the 

 inferior and less deserving, if only occasionally seen by us. 



" Cirl Bunting " {Emberiza cirlus). Montagu first discovered 

 this bird as British, and Yarrell says that it is " generally found 

 on the coast, and does not often appear to go far in-land ; " but 

 here for once our grand master in Ornithology is at fault, and 

 indeed " quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus ; " for in addition to 

 many notices of its occurrence in all parts of the County, North 

 and South, from various observers on whose accuracy I can rely, I 



