7'4 ON BEIGHTON BUNTINGS. 



(jE. cirlus, Linn.) used to be rather common^ but has of late decreased in 

 numbers. Some winters afiford a large flight of the Snow-Bunting (£'. nivalis, 

 Linn.). In December 1873 thousands arrived; about twenty dozen were 

 caught on Brighton Downs. One birdcatcher obtained thirty-eight at a pull 

 of his nets (many yards long) ; they were taken in both clap-net and draw- 

 net. I never remember such a flight. Very few, however, were in the white 

 plumage. 



It is not every one who can distinguish between the hen of E. cirlus and 

 that of E, citrinella. The two are figured side by side. Both birds were 

 killed the same day (28th October, 1868), outside this town, and are in my 

 possession. 



Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser speak thus in the ' Birds of Europe,' part v. 

 July 1871, Emberiza cirlus , p. 3: — "OJ5. Considerable difficulty is often 

 experienced in distinguishing the female Cirl Bunting from the hen of the 

 common Yellow^ Bunting ; but in reality they are very diff^erent. Our friend 

 Mr. J. Gatcombe, of Plymouth, suggests a crucial test, and one which, 

 we believe, will always be found to answer ; this is, by parting the feathers 

 of the head, when the Yellow Bunting, at all ages, will be found to have the 

 bases of the feathers yellow. In addition to this character, the colour of the 

 rump is diff^erent in the two birds, that of the hen Yellow Bunting being bright 

 bay, that of the female Cirl Bunting olive-brown ; whilst one of the best 

 distinguishing characteristics between the two species will be found in the 

 colour of the least wing-coverts, which in the Cirl Bunting are conspicuous 

 olive-green at all ages.'' 



The third specimen of the Emberizidae figured is a remarkable variety 

 oi E. citrinella, tsiken (October 9th, 1875) in a clap-net outside Brighton. 

 The colours are very peculiar; and Buntings appear to run less into 

 abnormality than others. This very curious bird displays a dark tint all 

 through the plumage. Mr. Robert Gray mentions a similar instance of 

 a melanoid variety of E. citrinella Q Birds of the West of Scotland,' p. 131). 

 The name " cirlus J' printed below the figure, is a mistake. 



