245 



THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. 



Reed Bunting. Reed Sparrow. 



JEmberiza Schceniclus, Linn. 



Is a resident species distributed over the island, which 

 from the prevailing humidity, is peculiarly well 

 suited to it. 



The reed-bunting is one of those birds, which, though not rare, are 

 nowhere numerous. Owing to its abode being among the shrubby 

 underwood or herbage in moist places and at the edge of waters^ it 

 is not very commonly or popularly known. It is interesting from 

 being an inhabitant of localities in which comparatively few other 

 species are to be seen : — often have I been highly pleased by ob- 

 serving a few of these birds gathering in to roost for the night upon 

 the exposed roots of alders or willows that overhung the gently- 

 flowing stream. Like their congeners, however, reed-buntings will 

 betake themselves during the snow-storm to the public roads for 

 food, but at such times only, have I met with them out of their 

 favourite haunts.* Stomachs of reed-buntings shot in January, 

 contained seeds, and much gravel. 



In different parts of Ireland, the reed -bunting has the undue 

 reputation of being a sweet songster of the night, and is believed 

 to be the veritable " Irish nightingale ; " — a name bestowed on 

 the mysterious bird, be that what it may, which sings through the 

 summer night. In strict justice, the sedge-warbler may lay claim 

 to the flattering appellation. Montagu, with his usual acuteness, 

 long since accounted for this error in the following words : — " It 

 is somewhat extraordinary that the manners and habits of so com- 

 mon a bird should remain so long in obscurity ; even modern 

 authors tell us it is a song-bird, and sings after sunset.f * * 



* Mr. Macgillivray considers the species as " migratory in most parts of Scotland, 

 departing in October, and reappearing about the beginning of April." vol. i. p. 455. 



f The omission here relates to tbe nest, respecting which Montagu was in error, 

 having described that of the reed, in place of that of the sedge, warbler. I have 

 altered a few words of the extract from plural to singular. A nest of this bunting 

 which came under Mr. Poole's notice, was placed among the stems of dry grass, on 

 the side of a bank overhanging water and was lined with cow-hair. The young were 

 nearly fledged on the 26th of May ; their mutings almost filled the bottom of the nest. 



