YELLOW BUNTING. 
2 
species from outlying quarters to the neighbourhood of farms ancl other buildings, seldom causes any general 
movement from one district to another. 
Owing to the breeding-range of this species extending far north, it is probable the British Islands are 
visited by migrants from across the sea. Only one or two while on the passage have come under my obser- 
vation off our coasts in autumn ; and during the years I received wings from the light-ships no information was 
gained concerning their arrival. 
Thoughout the snow-storms early in December 1882, I remarked a few scattered pairs of Yellow Hammers 
keeping company with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Pipits, and Wagtails. These birds were fluttering and 
running busily alongside the roads in the outskirts of Brighton. Wherever the snow had been removed they 
eagerly searched the dust-heaps, or any collection of rubbish carted out from the town. 
Seeds and insects no doubt form the greater portion of the food of this species. I had previously 
imagined it was only when pressed by want that meat would be patronized. A female Yellow Hammer, 
however, was distinctly seen to make a most vigorous attack on a piece of cooked mutton, hung up by a string 
to a small tree in a garden near Brighton for the benefit of the Titmice. The weather was exceedingly mild at 
the time, and the sun shining brightly (February 7, 1883) ; so a scax-city of natural food could hardly have 
influenced its choice. The wind having twisted up the string round a limb, the Bunting was enabled to reach 
the meat, which while swinging was accessible only to the Paridse. A hen sparrow was enjoying the feast in 
perfect amity with the Bunting. I remarked that while the former attacked the fat alone, the latter was 
tearing out small strands of meat from the lean. 
In the east of Norfolk this species is commonly spoken of as the Goldfinch, — “ Carduelis elegans ” being 
in that locality termed the “ Drawwater.” 
