212 THE BOOK OF BIRDS 



Other names given to the Yellow Hammer are the 

 Writing Lark (from the curious scribbling marks on the 

 eggs), the Yellow Yeldrick, and the Yellow Yoldrin. 



In autumn and winter it feeds in flocks, often mixing 

 with other hard-billed birds. They all "frequent the 

 newly-sown fields and the stubbles laid down with clover ; 

 whilst a heavy fall of snow will cause them to visit farm- 

 yards and ricks, where they may often be seen clinging to 

 the corn-stacks. If disturbed, the entire flock fly up into 

 the nearest trees or hedges." 



Like the Goldfinches, they show to advantage when the 

 snow covers the ground. " I have seen," writes a corre- 

 spondent of mine, " a bare hedgerow golden as though it 

 were all a-flower with some bright blossom, where a 

 hundred Yellow Hammers sat and chaffered." 



