76 THE BIRDS OF DEVO^'. 



near riymouth on oth December (Zool. 1S74, p. 3909). :Mr, T. E. A. 

 lirijrgs heard it on 29th December, 1879. 



Mr. £. H. Eodd considered its song bore some resemblance to that of 

 the Wood-Wren. 



"The Cirl Eunting is found, bnt always near the sea-coast; there it 

 remains all the year, and changes its plumage in the autumn, so as to 

 become more like the Yellow Hammer ; some, however, come over from 

 the continent in the spiing, as they are then found in greater numbers 

 than in winter " (T. J., Eray's ' Tamar and Tavy,' vol. i. p. 350). 



It is a common bird about Plymouth (T. E. A. E., Zool. 1873, p. 3774). 

 It was plentiful near Kiugsbridge in the spring of lbS7 (E. A. S. E., MS. 

 Xotes). 



During the winter of 1843, the Cirl Eunti ng was very abundant in 

 the neighboiirhood of Exeter, and several were procured, but during the 

 following winter none were to be seen. (W. E. 8., Zool. 1845, p. 983.) 



It has been frequently obtained at Tcignmouth, Torquay, and Ashburton, 

 and we ourselves have seen it at Lidford, Beaton, and Exmouth. In the 

 winter months this Eunting associates with other small birds about farm- 

 yards &c. We saw some feeding in our field at Exmouth, December 21st, 

 1 >!'<>, after a lieavy full of snow, with a flock of Larks which had just 

 arrived from the eastward. 



Reed-Bunting. Emheriza schcpnidus, Linn. 



Resident, but not very common. Ereeds. 



A generally distributed species, but nowhere numerous, the Eeed- 

 Bunting will be found in pairs by the side of streams, especially where 

 there is any growth of reed or sedge, by swampy hedges, and in osier and 

 alder beds. It is never met with in flocks, and is rather a shy Ijird, never 

 venturing near houses. Tlie male has a few monotonous notes, haidly 

 worthy of the name of a song. He is a gay-looking fellow, with his black 

 head, white collar, and russet back. 



In the immediate neighbourhood of Plymouth this species is not at all 

 common, but some were seen there Eebruary 3rd, 1875 (J. G., Zool. 1875, 

 p. 4448). It is also not very abundant in the Kiugsbridge district, but 

 occurs about the various Leys, and many examples were obtained in the 

 spring of 1879 (E. P. X. and E. A. S. E., MS. Xotes). The Eev. Thomas 

 Johnes says it is found on the reedy banks of the Tamar below Morwell 

 Eocks (Bray's ' Tamar and Tav}-,' vol. i. p. 350). Turton and Kingston 

 found it in meadows near Ashburton, Bradley Meadows, near Newton 

 Abbot, and on Bovey Ileathfield. It is pretty numerous in the Clyst and 

 Exe marshes near Topsbam ; also near Axmouth. 



The Eeed-Bunting is not uncommon in Xorth Devon, where it is to be 

 seen all the year. It is said to be a winter visitor to Luudy Island. 

 (Trans. Devon. Assoc, viii. p. 308.) 



A fuwn-coloiu'cd variety is in our collection. (M. A. M.) 



