110 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
ling that of the male bird; therefore unless a cock of this species has actually 
been shot, or at least been heard to sing, upon the nest, and its sex proved, I 
think the statement that it assists the hen in her duties, should be received with 
a certain amount of hesitation.* 
The food of the Yellow Hammer in the breeding-season consists largely of 
insects and their larve; also, like all the Buntings, this species devours insects 
whenever it can obtain them; but, like all more or less insectivorous birds, it is 
still fonder of spiders, and this fact should, I think, be taken into account when 
summing up the virtues and vices of birds. If man would let nature alone, he 
would find the balance perfect, but he interferes everywhere and makes a mess of it. 
In autumn and winter the Yellow Bunting feeds largely upon grain and seeds 
of weeds, wandering over the country in flocks in company with Chaffinches, 
Bramblings, etc. 
Although a beautiful bird, the wild caught Yellow Hammer never commands 
a high price, bird-catchers generally being well satisfied to receive a shilling for 
a pair: the fact that the bird is not a fine singer partly accounts for this, but the 
wildness of newly caught specimens is another serious drawback to the popularity 
of this species; inasmuch as, after weeks of confinement, it still rattles about its 
cage whenever it is approached, uttering a whining sort of chirp. An aviary suits 
it far better. 
In October, 1888, I purchased a pair from a bird-catcher, and turned them 
into a large covered aviary: in the succeeding spring they built a typical nest in 
an <Ardor-vite; but, as already related previously, a hen Hedge-Sparrow took 
possession of this nest as soon as it was completed, and subsequently the unhappy 
Buntings were a long time in deciding upon a new building-site; towards the end 
of July they selected a very damp corner on the ground behind a marsh-flag and 
began to build; they, however, never finished this nest, but continued to carry 
about hay and straw in an undecided desultory manner until November, when they 
finally gave it up as a bad job. Early in 1890, both birds died: possibly they 
did not receive sufficient insect-food to keep them in good health. 
Cases have been recorded in which this species has been discovered sitting 
upon eggs deposited in a slight depression on the bare ground; there is no doubt 
that the explanation of such behaviour is—that its nest has been taken. I once 
removed a nest with three eggs from a hedge, and passing a day or two later saw 
the bird sitting on a little platform of ivy twigs upon which the nest had been 
partly supported; as I approached she flew away, disclosing her fourth egg. 
* This statement has, however, been so definitely made, that doubtless the fact has been proved beyond 
all question. 
