ORNITHOLOGY OF ST. ANDREWS. 
289 
singing on the ground, when I think there is a greater variety of notes than when 
soaring in the air; hut this may be in consequence of their notes being more 
distinctly heard. 
Corn Bunting, Emberiza miliaria .—Very common here at all seasons, although 
not quite so abundant in winter as at other times. During the spring and sum¬ 
mer it may be seen perched on the most prominent twig of a hedge or bush, or as 
frequently on the top of any strong weed (such as the Common Dock) in the 
Corn-fields that may be higher than the Corn. There seated, he goes over his 
song, if song it may be called. He is not, however, easily disturbed, for he will 
generally allow you to be close upon him before he flies off, and he seldom flies 
far if there is any prominent twig near, on which he alights, and again resumes 
his song. 
Yellow Bunting, Emberiza citrinella. —This beautiful Bunting is very plentiful 
in this district, and may be seen in abundance at all seasons. During the win¬ 
ter they generally fly in large flocks along with the Chaffinch, Whin Linnet, and 
Green Grosbeak. In the British Song Birds , page 195, it is stated that its song 
is first heard in April. This is evidently a mistake,* as I heard it singing this 
year (in which all the birds have been late in commencing to sing) on the 3rd 
of March, and you mention in The Naturalist , Yol. II., page 54, having heard it 
last year on the 13th of February. The most common situation for its nest here 
is the sides of ditches, the bottoms of hedges, and Whin-bushes, but I have also 
frequently found it in Strawberry-rows. 
Chaffinch, Eringilla coelebs. —This pretty little bird is very common here at all 
seasons. It is stated in the British Song Birds, page 350, that the nest “ is 
rarely met with in hedges of any kind.”t This is by no means a rare occurrence 
here, for I find every year a great many of their nests in a hedge (composed of 
Beech, Hawthorn, Privet, and Holly) surrounding the garden. The nest in this 
hedge is most frequently built on the Beech. I have frequently found it on 
Hawthorn hedges. It often builds on the Alder and Apple trees; I have seen 
its nest on a wall fruit-tree, and once found one between fifteen and twenty feet 
from the ground, on a large Beech-tree, close to the main stem. 
Goldfinch, Carduelis elegans. —Not a common bird here, but may occasionally 
be seen. A few of them remain with us during the winter, when they may be 
seen in pairs flying about the heads of withered Thistles, picking the seeds that 
may still remain in them. 
* Like many other of our native songsters it resumes its notes with the first indications of a 
return of spring weather; and, like them, frequently again becomes mute in case of a relapse of 
rude north or east winds. The regular setting-in of its song for the season therefore depends 
mainly upon the weather.—E d. 
f We have found it in hedges, but certainly not commonly.— Ed, 
