CORN BUNTING. 
87 
flocks in the winter of 1839, splitting the iir-cones at ‘ The Oaks,’ near Charnwood 
Heath ; and in some tall firs at Swannington. They were very tame. I brought 
down several at one shot.” Harley recorded that ‘‘ during the winter months of 
1839-40, the Crossbill came to us in large flocks, and the birds were captured 
in most parts of the ^Midland counties in great numbers.” In February, 1854, 
Crossbills visited us in small flocks, and, on the 20th, Harley examined a specimen 
which had its bill and feet daubed over with a substance resembling Venice 
turpentine in appearance, and probably derived from the cones of the fir. The 
late Mr. Widdowson’s diary records: — “Crossbill killed, Mr. Gillett, 11th April, 
1868,” and JMr. Macaulay reports having seen one at Gumley, in 1881, on 
11th August — an unusual date at which to meet with it. 
Harley recorded for the first time its nidification in Leicestershire, in the 
summer of 1839. A pair of Crossbills took up their residence in a fir-plantation 
surrounding the northernmost part of Bradgate Park, not far from a farmhouse 
known as “ Hall Gates.” The nest was fixed on the branch of a thick fir, some 
twelve or fourteen feet from the ground. The young were fledged, and 
disappeared with their parents. 
In Rutland. — A rare visitant. — Lord Gainsborough informs me that it was 
observed at Normanton, in 1840, by Mr. J. Montague; at Ryhall, in 1873, by 
Miss 31. Johnson ; and at Carlby by the Rev. R. Hurt. 
Sub-family EMBERIZIN^. 
CORX-BUNTING. Emberiza miliaria, Linnseus. 
“ Common Bunting,” “ Bunting-Lark,” “ Writing- Lark ” (as also 
the following species, in allusion to the scrawled and blotched appearance of their 
«ggs). 
Resident, but sparingly distributed. Alore often seen, perhaps, in the winter 
months, especially near farm buildings, consorting with Sparrows and other birds. 
— Harley remarks upon a well-known trait of this bird, viz., that at certain 
seasons of the year it flies with its legs dangling. 
The Rev. H. Parry kindly brought me a nest and two eggs from Tugby, on 
2nd June, 1888. 
Turner informed me of a pied variety which he saw, caught in this county 
about the year 1880-1. 
In Rutland. — Resident, but sparingly distributed. — Mr. Horn says that they 
appear to remain upon the arable land until the breeding season, when a partial 
migration takes place, about the 1st June, and they spread themselves over the 
country. He considers it a late breeder, as, in 1886, he did not find the eggs 
until the 2nd July. 
