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Mr. R. Collett, in his work on the ' Ornithology of Christiania,' says: — " Early in March, or 

 some years late in February, the well-known note of this bird may first be heard here. Although, 

 generally speaking, it is very common near Christiania, it has happened that some years it is 

 scarcely to be seen. Thus in 1861 and 1862 it was so rare as almost to appear to have vanished; 

 and this was not only the case in this neighbourhood, but also in other parts of Southern 

 Norway. Whether the explanation of this fact was in an epidemic or in a migration, and where 

 in the latter case they went to it is hard to say. Those that returned after these years appeared 

 certainly to be strangers." 



In Finland Von Wright observed it as high as 67° 40' N. lat. ; and Pastor Sommerfelt 

 includes it in his list of the birds of the Varanger Fjord. Messrs. F. and P. Godman observed 

 only two pairs at Bodo during the spring and summer of 1857. Professor von Nordmann states 

 that it is common in the centre of Russia, but becomes more rare towards the south and east. 

 Radde records it as occurring on the Jenesei in winter, as he saw it often at Krasnojarsk in 

 November. 



Messrs. Elwes and Buckley, in their paper on the ' Birds of Turkey,' say that the present 

 species was seen " on the mountains of Macedonia, and also found near Constantinople." 



Mr. Robson gives us the following note : — 



" This species is very numerous in Turkey in Europe and Asia Minor, in the winter ; they 

 arrive in the autumn and depart in the spring, are fond of congregating in flocks, and feed much 

 in farmyards, in valleys, and on mountain-sides. They are also very partial to feeding in thickets 

 of brambles &c. Great quantities of them are taken during the autumn migration by bird- 

 catchers for the table." 



Following the range of the Yellow Bunting in Southern Europe, we learn from Lindermayer 

 that it is, to the best of his knowledge, not found in Greece, even in winter. In Italy it is 

 common, and has been observed during the winter near Pisa by Dr. Giglioli ; it is included by 

 Signor Bettoni among the birds that breed in Lombardy. 



Malherbe says it is " not common in Sicily, on the Messina side. I have nevertheless seen 

 it on the hills of Bagharia, near Palermo, and not far from Montreal." 



Bailly writes concerning the present bird as follows : — 



" Sedentary and very common in Switzerland and Savoy, and is met with in the mountains, 

 both in cultivated places and those covered with brushwood, and fallow ground, particularly 

 during the summer. It is very rare in the Alps, above the range of tree-growth. I have seen it 

 once on the Mont Cenis, close to the range of eternal snow at Rivers, during the breeding-season. 

 Its nest was on the ground amongst a mass of the Rhododendron ferruginewn." 



It has likewise been included by Mr. W. Grant among the birds occurring in Malta. The 

 many errors and misstatements recorded by the last-named author justly raised the indignation of 

 Mr. Wright, who has resided so long on the island and so carefully elucidated the Maltese Avi- 

 fauna. In concluding his criticisms on Mr. Grant's pamphlet, Mr. Wright says, " this is the last 

 species I shall quote as an egregious blunder. We are not only told that it is found here, but 

 that it is common too !" 



In Southern and Eastern Spain, Mr. Howard Saunders has found it to be only an occasional 

 visitant, occurring sometimes in winter. Naceyro, indeed, states that near Santiago it is common 



