The Common Bunting (Emberiza miliaria), ii., 97.
Not infrequent, singing, in a shrill note, in March, on the tops of trees near cultivated fields. The nest is built on the ground, near the sides of ditches.
The Black–headed Bunting, or Black–cap (Emberiza schœniculus), ii., 98.
Common about pit–sides and wide ditches.
The Yellow–ammer (Emberiza citrinella), ii., 90.
Common. The song, in March and April, is very peculiar, and sounds like the words, “A little bit of bread and no ch–e–e–se,” the first part of the sentence uttered rapidly, and the latter long drawn out. (This name, often mis–written yellow–hammer, represents the German goldammer, literally “yellow–bunting.”)
The Chaffinch (Fringilla cælebs), ii., 102.
Common. A very early harbinger of spring, in woods, fields, and gardens, and very fond of orchards, building a beautiful nest of all sorts of materials within reach. One has been found constructed entirely of raw cotton. The eggs are sometimes blue, sometimes white with pale spots, or pinky, or red, as if pencil–marked. Named cælebs by Linnæus, because in winter, especially when the season is severe, in many parts the sexes say good–bye to one another, and live asunder till spring, when they re–unite. One of the neatest in habits of all English birds. Even in the depth of winter the chaffinch seeks a lavatory every day.
The Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), ii., 104.
A sharp little bird, not uncommon, and usually building in hollow oak–trees. If the tree be approached during incubation it flies off like a shot.