(292) THE BREEDING-HABITS OF THE CORN-BUNTING (AS OBSERVED IN SUSSEX), WITH SOME NOTES ON ITS SONG, CRIES AND GENERAL DEPORTMENT.

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1 (292) THE BREEDING-HABITS OF THE CORN-BUNTING (AS OBSERVED IN SUSSEX), WITH SOME NOTES ON ITS SONG, CRIES AND GENERAL DEPORTMENT. BY JOHN WALPOLE-BOND. AT the end of February and early in March flocks of Corn- Buntings (Emberiza c. calandra), in which doubtless many immigrants figure, suddenly appear in recognized breedingareas. Pairing begins shortly afterwards, but is not intense until early in April. Some individuals, however, are not paired until considerably later; sometimes, indeed, even larger gatherings are seen up to late in May! If Corn-Buntings breed anywhere they cannot possibly be overlooked, for the males perpetually make their presence felt by their raucous and incessant " music". Indeed, this bird is one of the most, if not the most, persistent singers that I know, though during intensely sultry weather singing is best towards evening. Very rarely the song is heard from a bird conducting a short flight. But usually, of course, the Corn-Bunting, musically inclined, takes up station on a bush or tall weed ; should they exist in the haunt, on fencing, post, wire, hedge, tree or even rick- or building-top ; or even on the ground, the extreme edge of a cliff not being as unusual a stance as one might suppose. Then it grinds out its jinglingkey-like ditty every nine to thirteen seconds, often for hours on end, from dawn to dying day. Periodically it repeats itself immediately, and so fast that it seems to half-choke itself with its unlovely gutturals. During recitation the bill is kept wide open. Although, of course, it possesses several " stands ", each bird has a special favourite from which to sing. So habitually are some of these " stages " used that the herbage beneath is partially killed by the bird's continual droppings. In early spring, before pairing takes place, singing is conducted by many males together in a flock, generally from some bush or stunted hedge. Now, more than ever, do the harsh voices now in unison, now in harmony (!), now in time, now out of time sound like keys being vigorously shaken up ; in the circumstances, like immense bunches of them. I have heard song from this species in every month of the year, but singing is only perpetual and universal from the end of winter or from very early spring to towards the finish

2 VOL. xxv] NOTES ON CORN-BUNTING. 293 of August, though a good many individuals are in voice during September. The ordinary call-note is a somewhat harsh " chit " or " chip " (sometimes " chit-chit " presto) ; and at times a bird after alighting on one of its " pedestals " commences tuning up with repeated " chits", sometimes two of them as a start, followed by a slight pause before repetition ; more usually, though, with single editions and a very momentary interval between each. This prelude may be followed by " chit-chit-ip ", then " weep ", after a good measure of which squeaky utterances the bird sings again and again. When a really high wind is raging the Corn-Bunting, on first alighting, seems forced to flutter its wings strenuously for a little in order to register a balance. This is unsightly. So, too, generally, is the actual act of alighting, since then the bird nearly always elevates its tail. When properly settled, however, the tail is often allowed to droop disconsolate, though during song this member oscillates up and down with a vibratory motion. Sometimes the bird squats on its perch, the picture of indolence ; but it plunges off fast enough when disturbed. Occasionally may a Corn-Bunting, especially if singing, be. approached very closely, on very rare occasions, indeed, even to within a few feet. Besides the vocabulary just mentioned, there are several other notes. One may best be described as a twittering rattle. Another is a rasping " chirr", " jurr ' or " kyurrr ", uttered with fair frequency. A third, probably, however, merely a modification of the note just described, is a doublebarreled " che-ur", which bears some likeness to the Reed- Bunting's call, as, indeed, does the next, a coarse-sounding " sow " or " see-ow ". A (?) fifth shall be syllabled as " chirp " or " chirip ", and a (?) sixth, a craking, rasping cry, as "cheep" or "yeep ". This last note, as well as those of " che-ur " and " sow " (" see-ow "), are largely used when the nest is menaced (the " sow " especially with young there), though the " chit " is then also employed. Of the above, the only ones that I have heard from a flying bird are the twittering rattle and the " chit " (or " chip "). The Corn-Bunting, then, sober though it be in its Larklike garb, will not be ignored. For one thing, its dirge, as already seen, is sure to attract, if not too favourably ; so, too, its clumsy and rather laboured flight, though it can, if needs must, fly very fast indeed. Another distinctive feature a peculiar one for a small bird is the sometimes (for the habit is not invariable) trailed legs of the male as he flies, x

3 294 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXV. especially on first leaving his perch. The legs are often dropped to their full extent, and, in addition, frequently held wide apart; while sometimes head and neck are arched over and down and the shoulders hunched as well. All else aside, however, and even at fair range, the bulky build, combined with the brown of back and rump and then the decidedly lighter tint of the tail though, except in some albinistic specimens, there is no white in it denote the Corn-Bunting immediately. Although similar in coloration to her partner the female is appreciably smaller, so that even with the sexes seen apart (with the male out of song) difficulty is not often experienced in pronouncing which is which. As a rule, after October, birds of the year are indistinguishable from adults ; before then, however, they are paler-tinted generally. Early in their breeding-season, i.e., from about May 20th for roughly five weeks, Corn-Buntings nest chiefly in crops of all kinds, in coarse grass and under weeds, sometimes in clumps of either in otherwise bare fields, whether pasture or fallow. Amongst weeds, thistles and knapweed (locally, " drum-sticks") stand out as prime favourites. Incidentally, the Corn-Bunting is the only species I know besides the Whinchat that uses knapweed as a nesting-site. Flat ground, slopes, disused herbage-grown cart-tracks and banks of all sorts, excepting railway-embankments, are patronized indiscriminately. From late June, however seldom before until breeding for the year ceases, a very great many Corn-Buntings nest in the patches of gorse and low brambles which are in numerous spots a distinctive feature of the South Downs. The coverts selected are usually rich in undergrowth of grass and weeds. In most cases these retreats are. resorted to simply because the crops have either been cut, or in the matter of those not to be garnered until late summer, grown too tall and unruly for the bird's liking. In other words, masses of Corn-Buntings are in the-end driven to nest in gorse-brakes. Long ago I proved this point conclusively from having spent many long days during the latter half of May and the first three weeks of June, over a good series of years, working this furzy type of ground, and finding practically nothing. Whereas on the selfsame terrain, later on in the various seasons, nests in profusion came my way. I never mind telling stories against myself, and therefore let it be owned that I once used to think that Corn-Buntings hardly ever laid before late June or early July. This was a

4 VOL. xxv] NOTES ON CORN-BUNTING. 295 particularly stupid error, seeing that I had constantly noticed coition considerably earlier in the season. Corn-Buntings, by the way, always with us rear two families a year and sometimes three. With a good many, therefore, breeding continues throughout August, whilst even fresh eggs during the first half of September are not unknown. I much doubt if there is any area in our Islands affected by the bird where it is not double-brooded. I do not know whether this Bunting pairs for life. But in any case the same haunt, sometimes even to the selfsame little patch of cover, is often used as a nesting-site annually. Conversely, it is rare to find the same type of egg in any given haunt two years running. I have, of course, taken this latter observation from abnormally coloured types of eggs. So pertinaciously does this species cling to its nest-haunts, that on the ground where Peacehaven now stands (once a famous breeding-habitat of the bird) some Corn-Buntings still annually reproduce their kind close up to houses, even to small rough enclosures surrounded by them. Some nests many, for instance, built amongst grass are sunk into scrapes (prepared by the builders), so that their rims lie flush with ground-level. Others, however, are only partially sunk into the soil. Others again are let into thick tangle in such a way that their lowest foundations just touch ground. Yet others rest, or just do not, on the thick medley of grass and what not, choking the interiors of patches of mixed low gorse and dwarfed brambles. Still others and this specially applies to examples in thin corn are merely as it were, dumped on the ground. I have seen such specimens which looked as though they had got there by human agency! In some such instances not so much as one blade of corn has been anywhere near. Yet another type of nest lies from one or two to even five feet from the ground in usually thin gorse. These " tall" examples are not really rare, though you do not expect to find more than two or three any one year, even in a really long series of nests discovered. However, in 1908 (July nth and 12th), out of 17 nests found by Messrs. W. E. Renaut and A. Jones above Brighton, actually the majority were in such positions. Sometimes a nest reposes in a bramble, generally, however, of the very stunted order ; and dwarfed wild sloe is not without its Corn-Bunting nests occasionally. Sometimes, too, a nest is firmly wedged into a hollow in the rounded summit of a low, wind-swept furze-bush. Otherwise, most bush-nests at all events those in gorse are

5 296 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXV. very loosely attached to their surroundings ; sometimes, indeed, they simply lie on flat branches, albeit in most cases near the centres of the bushes patronized. The abovementioned sites are by no means always cases of necessity. Some nests arc exquisitely concealed ; others extraordinarily exposed. Many examples well off the ground flagrantly offend in the latter respect, as do those merely dumped on the flat nearly always. Normally the nest is somewhat loosely put together, untidy outwardly, and, of course, from its owner's size, on the large side. Sometimes, indeed, it is fully as big as a Blackbird's nest, but with a smaller "cup". It is usually composed of coarse, and often flowering, grasses many of which are frequently gathered green lined with fine, wellshredded grass (sometimes gathered green) or with rootlets, or both, to which is often added generally only a little horsehair in strands. Indeed, nests really thickly padded with this commodity are rare. Some nests show a scrap of moss or a gorse-twig or two externally ; others are outwardly fashioned mainly of straw. Several examples have boasted a feather or so externally ; one had a solitary feather in the lining ; a few have been adorned as to their rims with wisps of wool. In the foundations of another nest was a good deal of dried horse-dung, as well as a scrap of newspaper. It is probable, however, that the manure was adhering to grass collected by the builder. The bottoms of some nests, other than those sunk into soil, are somewhat cone-shaped or tubular ; even specimens high up in furze sometimes sport these funnel-shaped foundations. I have never been able to fathom the reason for this peculiarity. In any case it can serve little good purpose. Nests vary a good deal in size according to their sites, the bulkiest being those that are off the ground. Apparently the female alone builds, and sometimes certainly work continues at intervals until late in the evening. The eggs number from 3 to 6, usually 4 or 5, though a trio is far from rare, especially in first and very late layings. On the other hand, a " six " is uncommon, though out of the 17 aforementioned nests found by Renaut and Jones actually no fewer than five contained the half-dozen. I have never known of a " six " early or really late in the season. More than once I have found a Corn-Bunting incubating two eggs only. But I cannot regard these as proper clutches. I have always suspected mishap to at least a third egg. Sometimes an egg is found under the lining

6 VOL. xxv.] NOTES ON CORN-BUNTING. 297 of the nest a misadventure which, periodically, befalls most sorts of small birds. With sufficient trouble a great many nests may be found in a season, for the Corn-Bunting, though local, is common in Sussex. For instance, during July, 1911, I found near Brighton over sixty single-handed, and that, too, without devoting every day to the matter. Once, too, in about six weeks, on and off, Messrs. E. P. Chance and O. R. Owen put over eighty to their credit near Eastbourne. Really, however, the best bit of work in this line that I am aware of was that of Renaut and Jones, who discovered 17 nests on July nth and 12th, Moreover, they were only in harness for half the first day. It is inexplicable, but in the main most species in Sussex lay smaller eggs than their confreres elsewhere in Britain, and the Corn-Bunting forms no exception. All the same, easily the largest eggs of this bird that I have seen anywhere (collections included) are a set of 4 found by mc near Brighton on July 15th, Incidentally, in 1921, most Corn- Buntings laid rather larger eggs than usual. Incubation is, I am positive, performed by the female exclusively, Naumann's views notwithstanding. It lasts just short of a fortnight, though a trifle longer, of course, if, as sometimes happens, it starts with the first egg or two laid. I now approach the issue of some. Corn-Buntings being polygamous. Personally, I am nearly convinced that they are, and in this view Messrs. P. B. Smyth, J. T. Mayo and the brothers Chance concur. My first reason for feeling well-nigh confident on the score is the fact that in quite a number of small, isolated areas (large, linked-up areas would seldom teach one anything of value in this respect), worked and watched to the nth degree, more nests have been present than males. Thus, 1 have known one male only accounted for and two and three nests, two males and four nests, three males and five nests, and so on. The nests, moreover, have been, so to speak, " massed", that is, they have been fairly, and sometimes really, close together. In some cases, indeed, only a few feet have separated two, and Mr. P. B. Smyth and Colonel C. Smeed once found five within an area of about 30 yards by a few paces. " Some of the males have been missed", exacting critics may say. Not often, I think. I, for one, have spent many hours on end in such " colonies", and the cock Corn-Bunting is never to my knowledge away from home that long, and when he is at home he soon lets you know it.

7 298 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXV. Still, there is nothing absolute about the above. Merely is it extremely suggestive. My second reason, therefore, for very strongly suspecting some-time polygamy indeed, it may be conclusive is that I have on divers occasions watched a male amorously p ursuing several females seriatim, and actually tread two in succession. These females have forthwith returned to nests, all of which have been at least tolerably close together. Here again, though, that demon called " doubt " creeps in. For the male is of a peculiarly erotic temperament, and would doubtless pay court to the wife of any of his fellows temporarily absent, and of course it cannot be said quite definitely that cocks belonging to the (extra) covered females in point were not in being somewhere. Even as the matter stands it is interesting, but a great deal of further investigation is required before it can fearlessly be asserted that this species is sometimes polygamous. The nest may be found in two ways, either by beating out the brooding bird or by watching. As to the first method, it need only be said that the bird is a very close sitter (though I could quote several rather marked exceptions), often literally crashing or whirling off underfoot, or even between the legs, as you patiently thrash out its haunts. Sometimes, indeed, one refuses to be flushed until the ground has been covered twice at least. This, albeit, is an exceptional trait, well exemplified, and conclusively proved, by first watching a bird back to eggs and even then with the exact spot known and visited instanter failing to " move " her at once. Once only have I stepped on an incubating Corn-Bunting. As to watching, get to raised ground if possible and look out for a female returning nestwards. Like all small birds not fed on their nests by their mates, she must be off eggs with fair frequency say once every hour. She usually feeds a long, and often a very long, way from the nest ; and she usually returns to duty by one lengthy direct flight, generally of the low or lowish order, though now and again a long, low " glide " is interrupted by a sudden, brief upsoaring. Nor, normally, is any time lost by the bird in dropping flutteringly into its nest which it docs on the slant once it has alighted on some coign of vantage (a weed, say) within about a yard of it. A few seconds cover the normal interval between the two acts ; not very often does it run into more than half a minute. In an ordinary way the first point d'aftpui serves as a diving-board to the nest. Occasionally, however, the " jumper " changes its original

8 VOL. xxv] NOTES ON CORN-BUNTING. 299 perch slightly for one (or more) that commands a still better view of home. More occasionally yet, a Corn-Bunting, after foraging, makes two distinct nights to its belongings, though the second of these is always vastly the shorter. Sometimes will a bird flutter hoveringly for a moment or two about a foot above its nest before dropping into it, though this is a trick generally only resorted to when the nest is in a thin crop. Sometimes, too, in the case of a very exposed nest, the bird will fly straight on to it; that is, there are no preliminaries. In all the above behaviour the male often appears in the role of chaser. Should an observer be too near to the nest of a returning sitter, the latter usually settles about fifty yards therefrom. Thence it makes repeated sallies in the direction of home, to which, however, it now hardly ever ventures until the coast is clearer. It should, too, be noted that this Bunting, curiously enough with everything in its favour, is usually more chary about visiting its nest when it contains young than eggs. It has been said that the male Corn-Bunting often assists you materially to the finding of his nest with eggs by singing from some point close by. I cannot subscribe to this dictum. Naturally, as the veriest exception, it does occur. Yet usually the male sings at any range from 30 yards to a 100 yards from a nest holding eggs, and now and then from still further afield ; and, be it added, I have examined a very great many nests in situ. On the other hand, when there are young in the nest, the male often does sing at any rate pretty close to it. He now, in fact, often stays on guard by the nestlings whilst his mate is busy collecting food. Thus does he now frequently give away the approximate site of his belongings, and he it is who is now often most perturbed when the household is menaced. When flushed from its' nest the Corn-Bunting swift but cumbrous usually fles straight away for a varying distance (seldom a short one), and generally without demonstration. Some few individuals, however, settle within, say, 30 yards or 40 yards of the trespasser, expressing mild expostulation by uttering, if there are eggs present, usually the " chip " cry ; should there be nestlings, usually the coarse-sounding "sow". On extremely rare occasions a bird begins calling " chip " the moment it is disturbed from its nest, that is, it calls whilst on wing. Just occasionally, too, a Corn-Bunting, when first put off even eggs, will half-flutter, half-trail along the top of the surrounding herbage, sometimes following this up by rising to a slightly higher plane and then flying

9 300 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXV. almost end-on, as if injured. Rarely, however, is the tail expanded even then ; it seldom is except after bathing, and the Corn-Bunting is particularly fond of its ablutions. It is, too, a very thirsty species. When in late summer these birds are still breeding in corn, which has, of course, by then attained quite a respectable height, they often seem to experience much difficulty in finding their nests. At all events, a dozen or more may now be viewed at different points of a field some with food in their bills flying aimlessly about above the crop. Their heads are bent down, as though seeking landmarks ; at intervals they hover in unwieldy fashion over seeming points of recognition, which, however, they repeatedly discover not to be the right ones after all. So do they continue until by degrees each searcher searches no more in vain. Sometimes, of course, this trait is attributable to birds hunting for their scattered fledglings. Sometimes several Corn-Buntings of both sexes, arriving simultaneously at a (?) preconcerted air-way, all commence hovering and flying about erratically, just as Starlings do when procuring flies, or again when merely " showing off" aerially. I have never been satisfied as to which the Buntings are enacting. If forced to decide I should go for the latter. These evolutions may, indeed, be loveflights, seeing that they are only witnessed in the breedingseason. In any case, the male then has at intervals a curious, shivering sort of wing-motion (when flying), which at times almost becomes a mild shudder. When really courting, the male settles on the ground close to the hen. He then proceeds to indulge in repeated little upward flights of about a yard in height, after each one plumping down clumsily beside her ; and he sings and gives forth his call-notes alternately. As already seen, he is a most ardent wooer. Consequently, he loses no chance of pestering the female with amorous attentions. Even when she is off incubated eggs, he will not always leave her alone, though in some cases it is obvious that he merely wishes to drive her back to duty. At such times she often does her best to avoid his onslaught, being then for so " heavy" a species distinctly quick and resourceful of movement. She will, for instance, just when the male is up with her, suddenly fall flat to the ground. The pursuer, of course, then shoots along over her, thwarted for the nonce at any rate. The male is also persistent at chasing off intruding and perhaps intending Lotharios. Nevertheless, combats are mock rather than real; clever, dodging flights are usually the sole form of battle.