THE ZOOLOGIST 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. XVI.] APRIL, 1892. [No. J 84. 



ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CIRL BUNTING 

 IN GREAT BRITAIN. 



By 0. V. Aplin 



(Member of the British Ornithologists' Union). 



Since its discovery as a British bird, in the winter of 1800, 

 by Montagu, who found it not uncommon among flocks of Yellow 

 Buntings and Chaffinches, and procured several specimens near 

 Kingsbridge, in Devonshire, the Cirl Bunting has been found to 

 be a resident species in many other parts of southern England, 

 as well as in some of the home counties and western midlands ; 

 and of late years it appears to have been increasing its range and 

 pushing its way into Wales. In East Anglia it continues very 

 rare, or unknown. But it is extremely local over most parts of 

 its range, and its distribution is to some extent sporadic. Probably 

 its presence in, or absence from, some parts of the country may 

 be determined by the possibility or otherwise of obtaining certain 

 kinds of insect food. Montagu's discovery that the young were 

 fed especially upon the common grasshopper bears upon the point, 

 but sufficient evidence thereon is not yet forthcoming. In winter 

 it is partial to hay-seeds. This much seems clear — that, as a 

 resident species, the Cirl Bunting avoids the colder parts of 

 England, and undoubtedly has its strongholds along the south 

 coast and in the mild climate of the west. The presence of tall 

 trees, especially elms, seems to be a desirable, if not essential, 

 feature in those districts which it inhabits. In autumn and 



ZOOLOGIST. APRIL, 1892. L 



