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SCARCITY OF CORN BUNTING IN THE WILSDEN 
DISTRICT. 
The Corn Bunting, which was never an abundant species in 
this district, but was not uncommon locally thirty years ago, 
has recently become quite a scarce breeding species, and I 
have often wondered whether in any other part or parts of its 
breeding range in Britain similar remarks are applicable. 
As far as this district is concerned, I have invariably found 
their nests in open meadow field — never in corn fields — and 
within comparatively recent years there has grown up a 
tendency among farmers to cut the grass somewhat earlier, 
which must have destroyed many nests. This fact may, to 
some extent, account for its partial disappearance, but in 
these circumstances, one would suppose they would attempt 
a second nest. In some districts the nest is usually found in 
furze bushes, two feet from the ground ; but I have never 
found its nest except on the ground — never even in a pasture. 
It is alleged by some not to commence nesting before early 
July, even further south than Yorkshire, but this is much 
too sweeping a statement. In average years in this part it 
used to nest in May. Many ornithologists state the number 
of eggs, four to six— three to four — seldom five, in my ex- 
perience, would be nearer the facts. It always seems that 
this species much prefers the flatter and more cultivated 
parts of the country, specially in the neighbourhood of the 
sea, than the mountainous and more bleak parts of the 
country. — E. P. Butterfield. 
In Yorkshire the Corn Bunting may be considered essenti- 
ally a bird of the coast -line, for, although it occurs in various 
inland localities, it is not abundant in any of them. Twenty 
years ago there were always a few pairs in the Harrogate 
district, but they have now entirely deserted the locality. I 
have always considered the Corn Bunting to be more or less 
double -brooded, as I find the nests from May to the end of 
September. In the Spurn district, where the birds are plenti- 
ful, I have frequently found the nest with fresh eggs in the 
latter month, and in common with Mr. Butterfield, my 
experience is that three to four constitutes the usual number 
of a clutch, the smaller number more frequently than the 
larger. — R.F. 
: o : 
The Manchester Art Gallery Committee, in its Annual Report for 
1921, has illustrated many of the gems of the Lloyd Roberts bequest to 
the Corporation. 
Conquest for July contains a well illustrated article on ‘ The Prince 
of Wales’s Collection at the Zoological Gardens,’ by R. I. Pocock, and 
one on ' How I Filmed the Cuckoo,’ by Edgar Chance, though the latter 
subject is now getting a little bit out of date. 
Naturalist 
