Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/414

354 specimen of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus). The bird was on some gorse by the side of the road, and allowed me to remain about ten yards away, sufficiently long to point out to my wife—who was with me at the time-—the difference between it and citrinella. I may add that the Cirl Bunting is a bird with which I am very well acquainted, and in this case was first attracted by its note. This appears to be the first record for Ireland.— (Clareland, near Stourport, Worcestershire).

Cirl Bunting in Carnarvonshire and Cardiganshire.— In reference to the occurrence of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) in Carnarvonshire, recorded by Mr. Aplin (Zool. 1899, p. 322), it may interest him and others to know that this bird is by no means uncommon in that part of the county near the Little Orme. During a short stay in the neighbourhood in July, I heard and saw five males within a radius of one mile. One afternoon two birds were singing together in a churchyard, within a few yards of each other; one was perched on the east gable of the church, the other in a yew tree. Close at hand I also found a nest, which by July 16th contained three eggs. This nest, chiefly composed of hay, grass, &c, was built in a hedge bordering a lane, amongst blackthorn, brambles, &c, and, as is usually the case—so far as my experience goes—placed on the field side of the hedge, and invisible from the lane. Another nest, out of which the young had just flown, was built in an isolated bit of gorse in a hedgerow, also bordering a lane. Curiously enough, immediately under this nest, but in the bank and next the lane, there was a Yellowhammer's nest with four eggs, showing that the two species do agree together at times. With regard to the song of the Cirl Bunting, it may not be generally known that the same bird will sometimes alter its usual loud trill to a much sharper and higher key. Its call is somewhat remarkable and unmistakable, being a very thin sibilant note repeated at intervals. There is another alarm-note, uttered occasionally by the male, which is identical with that of the Hedge-Sparrow; this note I heard when handling the young, with the old bird within a few yards of me. Again quoting Mr. Aplin: in his interesting and valuable paper on the distribution of this species, he mentions Aberystwith as the only locality in Cardiganshire where it has been observed. I may here say that on July 18th, 1901, I heard several singing at and near New Quay in Cardiganshire.— (King's Buildings, Chester).

Notes on the Cuckoo in Aberdeen.—The season here has been very bad for Cuculus canorus. It was first heard on May 4th, but only a