74 THE BIRDS OF DEVON. 



which have occiuTed a few times in the East of Englanrl, 

 have not as yet been met with in any of the Western 

 Counties. The Lapland Bunting, an occasional winter 

 visitor to the East Coast of England, is also unknown 

 with us. 



Corn- Bunting. Emheriza miliaria, Linn. 



[Horse-Lark, Bunting Lark.] 



Eesident, but local, and principally along the coasts. It is nowhere 

 numerous in Devon, except when migrating. Breeds. 



It is sometimes abundant on the coast near Pi} mouth. Bellamy says 

 that it is common, but not so plentiful as the Cirl Bunting, and that it 

 frequents tields close to Plymouth and Devonport (Nat. Hist. S. Devon, 

 p. 204). It was numerous amongst furze-bushes on the cliffs at Bovisand, 

 Aug. 30th, 1873, and many were seen on the walls and hedges near the 

 cliffs at Wemburv, July L^3rd, 1874 (J. G., Zool. 1873, p. 3719; 1874, 

 p. 4228). 



It is common, and breeds near Ivingsbridge, more particularly on the 

 sea-coast. (R. P. X., MS. Xotes.) 



Turton and Kingston found it frequent in various parts of their district 

 (Teignmouth, Tonjuay, Ashl)urton, etc.). 



In the neighbourhood of Exeter, according to our own experience, the 

 Corn-Bunting is quite scarce. One was shot at Topsham, July 1844 (F. 

 AV. L. li., MS. iv. p. 117). A buff-coloured variety was obtained in 

 February 1675 at Alphiugton, near Exeter, and was seen by us in the 

 flesh. 



This, the largest of our English Buntings, is very inconspicuous in 

 ])luraage, which in its sober russets not a little resembles the garb of the 

 Sky-Lark, whence the bird is called by some the Bunting Lark. It is 

 rather solitary in its habits, except during the winter months, so that it 

 is unusual to find more than a pair in one locality. In North Devon it is 

 very local ; a few frequent the high ground above Ilfracombe, and we have 

 seen it on the Braunton Burrows and at Instow. AVe have ourselves 

 never met with this Bunting in flocks in the winter time anywhere in 

 the Western Counties. From its habit of raking its station on some 

 high twig in a hedge-row, whence it utters its few harsh notes, it is 

 easily to be detected where it occurs. 



In Pembrokeshire, also, we have noticed that the Corn-Bunting is a bird 

 of the coast, being very plentiful in the St. David's district, while it is 

 veiy rarel)' seen a few miles inland. 



