Page:VCH Suffolk 1.djvu/226

 A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK A cock bird, shot at Drinkstone in May, 1846, is now in the Norwich Museum, and another cock, in full plumage, was shot at Burgh Castle September, 1889, in which year others were obtained in Yorkshire, Bedford- shire and Surrey. This species derives its name from the two white bars on the wing, and was formerly known as the ' European white-winged crossbill.' 75. Corn-Bunting. Emberiza miliaria, lAnn. LocaUy, Bunting-lark. A resident, not very common, but found all over the county. It is essentially a bird of the fields, and only comes into stackyards in severe weather. This bird almost always nests on the ground, and is a late breeder, seldom having eggs before June, while they have been ' cut over ' in August. The eggs are often splendidly blotched with rich dark brown, and if not very carefully blown the colouring matter is liable to be rubbed off. 76. Yellow Hammer. Emheriza citrinella, Linn. Locally, Yellowham or Yellowhammet. A common resident, sometimes seen in large flocks during the winter. A beautiful variety of this bird was killed at Great Barton about November, 1902, the entire plumage of which was almost as yellow as that of a canary. The yellow hammer sits close, and goes off her nest in a manner which at once discloses the exact spot, so very many nests are robbed by boys. It is rare to find more than four eggs, and sometimes a spotless variety is met with, much resembling pale eggs of the wheatear. Further evidence seems desirable before adding the cirl bunting [E. cirlus) to the Suffolk list, as although two were caught ' on Breydon marshes ' early in 1888, of which the identity is beyond question, they may have been taken in either Norfolk or Suffolk. In size the cirl bunting is a trifle smaller than the yellow hammer, the cock has a black throat, and both sexes are without the warm rusty red on the lower back. 77. Ortolan Bunting. Emberiza hortulana, Linn. A very rare visitant, of which a specimen killed near Lowestoft in May, 1859, seems to be the only record. 78. Reed-Bunting. Emberixa schceniclus, Linn. Locally, Water-Sparrow. This prettily-marked species is a resident, common enough in marshes, rough meadows and reedy dykes, where the cock, with his handsome plumage and lively movements, is a conspicuous little bird. The reed-bunting usually builds in sedge or other herbage close to the water, less frequently in a low thorn- bush or in furze on a common, and the eggs are much darker in colour than those of any other bunting which breeds in England. 79. Snow-Bunting. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.) A regular winter migrant to the coast, sometimes appearing in large numbers. Mr. Hele used to find it at Aldeburgh ' frequenting the Haven Sands and generally along shore.' It breeds in small numbers in Scotland, but has never been known to do so south of the border. 80. Lapland Bunting. Calcarius lapponicm (Linn.) A rare winter visitant, of which perhaps six specimens have been obtained in the county. There was a large autumn migration of Lapland buntings in Norfolk in 1892, but very few reached SuflFolk. In colouring this bird rather resembles the reed-bunting, but is easily known by the long and nearly straight hind claw. 81. Starling. Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. A common resident, breeding wherever it can find suitable holes in church towers, old trees, and thatched buildings. It has been known to enlarge the entrance hole of an old weather-beaten nesting-box till it could gain admittance, and can be as easily attracted to a box as the great tit. Though it is fond of cherries, and sometimes adds to the damage already done to thatch by sparrows, it devours an enormous quantity of insects and grubs, and a group of starlings at work on the grass with the spring sun shining on their glossy plumage is a very charming piece of bird-life. Multitudes cross the North Sea in autumn, and Mr. Hele during two hours' observation of in-coming migrants at Aldeburgh on an October morning noticed thirteen arrivals of starlings. As many as fifty have been killed in a night by striking the glass of one of the Norfolk lightships. 82. Rose-coloured Starling. Pastor roseus (Linn.) A rare visitant, of which there does not seem to be an occurrence since 1868. The young bird is very plainly coloured, and might easily be passed over alive or dead without being recognized as a rarity. The following interesting paragraph appears 18S