British Cage Birds. 



brown, yellow, and grey ; the wings are dark brown, the pen 

 feathers being bordered with reddish brown ; the smaller 

 wing coverts are also reddish brown, and the larger ones 

 black, some of these being edged with chestnut brown, and 

 the others with greyish white. The tail is black ; the exterior 

 feathers on each side have a large white spot near the ends, 

 on the outside edge, and those in the centre have a margin 

 of golden brown. The legs and feet are of a pale brownish 

 flesh colour. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Reed Bunting is known 

 throughout Europe. It is partly migratory, and partly indi- 

 genous. It does not appear to suffer from cold, and always looks 

 pert and cheerful. Its favourite haunts are marshy places, 

 where there are plenty of reeds (hence its name), rushes, 

 tall grass, sedges, and willows. Water seems an indispensable 

 requisite to the habit of the Reed Bunting, and, the more 

 retired and less frequented the situation, the more these 

 birds appear to appreciate and value it. They discover 

 all the pools, ponds, and accumulations of water that there 

 are in the neighbourhood of their location, and in such 

 places they may be looked for and found. They seldom go 

 far away from their accustomed haunts until driven, by 

 frost and snow, in search of food ; they then associate with 

 the Yellow and Cirl Buntings, and get near farm buildings, 

 stables, barns, and stackyards, seeking provender. During 

 migration the males precede the females, generally by two 

 or three weeks, and travel in small companies together ; 

 they return in the same manner. They leave this country 

 about the middle of October, and return at the end of 

 March, or beginning of April, according to the mildness of 

 the season. 



The Reed Bunting builds its nest near the water's edge, 

 among reeds and rushes, or among young willows, near the 

 ground. The nest is composed of small twigs of osiers, dried 

 grass, and fine weeds, and is lined with hair. The hen lays 

 from four to six eggs, of a greyish white colour, spotted and 

 streaked with pale brown and black ; she incubates fourteen 

 days. Both parents seem much attached to their young, and 

 are greatly agitated when anyone approaches the nest ; they 

 use every device which their ingenuity suggests to mislead 

 anyone in search of it, and will not venture to go near it 



