Birds. 2489 



appeared ; probably gone southwards. A few days ago some pipits 

 were picked up just alive, owing to the severe weather, apparently not 

 having strength either to get further south or to bear the rigour of these 

 parts. Their bodies were complete skeletons." On the occurrence of 

 snow they usually leave us. 



Sky Lark {Alaiida arvemis). See Zool. 658. " February 8, 1845 : 

 to-day a large fall of snow. Many large congregations of larks passed 

 southwards." "March 1, 1848: large flocks of larks came to this 

 neighbourhood (consisting of thousands) : they fed upon the leaves of 

 field cabbages and frequented gardens that were at any distance from 

 the village." In some seasons they commit serious damage to newly- 

 sown wheat-fields (more particularly if sown late), pulling up the 

 blade just when it is springing from the ground, more for the purpose 

 of getting at worms at the roots than feeding on the plant. 



Wood Lark (Alauda arbor ea). This sweet bird is apparently be- 

 coming more rare here every year, and now is but very thinly distri- 

 buted over the upland parts that are studded with copses. 



Snow Bunting {Emberiza glacialis). December 19, 1846: snow 

 buntings were seen in the neighbourhood. 



Common Bunting [Emberiza miliaria). Partially migratory, and 

 breeds. During the summer months they may be seen perched on 

 almost every hedgerow hereabouts, and are contented with their quar- 

 ters so long as any corn remains, either standing, cut, or even un- 

 gleaned, but the great body of them leave when the corn is taken 

 away, some half-dozen stragglers occasionally remaining for many 

 weeks after the main body have departed. On January 14, 1844, I 

 observed one here, and also on February 4, 1845 ; but they are rarely 

 seen at Christmas. They disappear in small parties of from five to 

 ten birds, keeping together a short time before departure ; but appear 

 by single birds. 



Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza schceniclus). Many depart in 

 autumn and appear in spring, but many also remain, and when pressed 

 for food in severe weather come to ricks and farms to feed with chaf- 

 finches. On June 3, 1842, as I was fishing by the margin of the 

 Trent, my attention was arrested by the rustle of something in a clump 

 of sedge near to which I was standing, and scarcely a moment had 

 elapsed before a bird crept slowly from the herbage. It fluttered 

 along the ground in a curious zigzag manner, as if lame and wounded, 

 its right wing trailing on the ground and appearing to be broken. I 

 followed it to some distance ; but when I approached too near it flew 

 in the natural manner a few yards further, and then dropped its wing 



