ON BRIGHTON BUNTINGS 



(EMBERIZIDM). 



By Mr. G. D. ROWLEY. 

 (Plate XLVI.) 



Brighton has produced not a few additions to the British ornis. Situated 

 on a bird-road, a turnpike of avine migration, it is tenanted by an army of 

 eyes sharpened by hunger. Many things pass under people's noses without 

 their knowledge. I have walked in a crowded street with John WoUey, the 

 naturalist ; and on his halting, asked the reason. " I hear one of those large 

 Bats," he answered ; no one else did. I have myself been in company with 

 several persons, and inquired if they ^^ heard that noise;" they thought there 

 was a tapping. "When told that it arose from a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 

 every one was ready to observe. 



The improved clap-nets here are now made so large, and the calls in the 

 men's mouths are so good, that, with the aid of driving and the brace-birds, 

 they can capture most species. They are clever at forcing and compelling 

 the birds to enter, almost like sheep into a pen. These men have a consi- 

 derable practical knowledge, moreover. They sometimes endure much hard- 

 ship and take nothing. 



The three following rare species have all been found outside Brighton — 

 Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla, Pallas), Rustic Bunting (^E, rustica^ Pallas), 

 Black-headed Bunting (£'. melanocephala, Scopoli) — the particulars of which 

 may be found in Gould's ' Birds of Great Britain ' and YarrelFs ' British 

 Birds,' 4th edition. 



Of the usual kinds, the Lapland Bunting (^E. lapponica, Gmelin) is every 

 now and then brought in alive, and ramains in captivity. The Cirl Bunting 



