118 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



their 'Proceedings' for that year^ p. 377 (see also 'Ibis/ 

 1865j p. 113) ; this specimen passed into the collection of 

 Mr. Monk. It inhabits^ like the last^ the northern parts of 

 Europe and Siberia. It is found both in the older pine 

 forests and underwood, building on the ground an artless 

 nest of grass-stalks and larch leaves, and is said to feed on 

 a species of beetle of the family Tenebrionidm. (See Yarrell's 

 B. B. vol. ii. pp. 34-36.) 



BUNTING. 



Emberiza miliaria. 



The Bunting is remarkably heavy and clumsy in its appear- 

 ance and movements, suffering itself to be approached within 

 a few yards, and then merely moving away to a very short 

 distance, with a laboured flight, and with its feet hanging 

 down. 



It is a resident, frequenting principally the most open parts 

 of the cultivated land near the coast, between the Downs and 

 the sea. During the winter it assembles in large flocks, 

 seeking its food, which mainly consists of grass and other 

 seeds, in the stubbles, and occasionally about the corn-stacks, 

 and it often assembles to roost among thick herbage above 

 tae ordinary high-water mark. In summer it spreads over 

 the cultivated fields, particularly those of seed grasses. 

 Among these it builds its nest, which is clumsily constructed 

 of straw and dry grass, with fine blades of the latter, fibrous 

 roots, and a little hair for the lining. At this time of the 

 yeai', it may be seen perched by the road-sides, and uttering 

 its harsh, single note from some bush or rail, and often from 

 a large clod, whence it has obtained the local name of " Clod 



