Wi

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

land Bunting is richer and clearer than that of any other of our One rama so shrill as that of the Lark,

a 7 ‘e varied ; and I thought I never listened to a more pleasing melody. Oh, how often haye

but fai sweeter and Oe. ee an naturalist, who can listen to the artless song of the little bird

I at such mimes envied the coe 0 a - a ee honing. 600% (ORCeRt lying tonite skinning.
without wishing it in his game-bag, and = oe knowledge of the feathered race would stand still; but
table! There must, however, be collectors, or our oe st aa ae ; ; ;

depend upon it, the study of the animal creation loses half its innocent charms as soon as we make it a matter
of pounds, shillings, and pence. 7 laced off the ae 7

‘The nest of the Lapland Bunting, as far as I could ascertain, is always placec 5 he ground, generally
sheltered by a tussock of grass, occasionally under a small bush, puilt invariably and entirely a a grass, put
together loosely and without much care. The eggs vary much in colour; they often resemb e those of the
Black-headed Bunting, but are more clouded than streaked ; and I have seen them very like those of the Mea-
dow-Pipit. Six appears to be the full number. By the end of July we shot strong-flyers, although most of
the nests were taken about the 27th June.”

I have often been at a loss to imagine where these birds dwell at the season opposite to that at which they
are seen on the Quickiock fells and other parts of Norway, Finland, and Russia. They certainly cannot winter
in those regions ; and I know of no country in which they have been ooo a that season. In Central and
Southern Europe the species appears to be but a casual winter visitant, while in India it is MO known ; and Mr.
Swinhoe does not speak of it as inhabiting the southern part of China, although he says that ws abundant near
Pekin in winter ; but doubtless these are birds which have bred further north. Professor Baird, in his ‘ Cata-
logue of American birds,’ gives as its habitat in that country, “ Eastern North America, into the United States
in winter ; not yet found much west of the Missouri.”

As a counterpart to Wheelwright’s account of the bird in Northern Europe, I shall quote a passage from
Sir John Richardson, in the ‘ Fauna Boreali-Americana,’ respecting it as seen in that part of the world :—

‘This handsome bird is common to the northern regions of both continents. According to Forster, it
winters on the coast of Hudson’s Bay, arriving at Severn River in November, and departing on the approach
of spring for the north. During its stay it feeds on grass-seeds and, Hearne says, also on the buds of the
Pinus microcarpa. . . . I never met with it in the interior of the fur-countries during winter, and I suspect
that its principal retreats at that season are on the borders of Lakes Huron and Superior, and to the country
extending to the westward on the same parallel. In the year 1827 it appeared on the plains at Carlton
House about the middle of May, in very large flocks, among which were many Shore-Larks (Alauda alpestris),
and a few individuals of Plectrophanes picta. During their stay of ten or twelve days, they frequented open
spots where recent fires had destroyed the grass. They came to Cumberland House a few days later in the
same season, and there kept constantly in the furrows of a newly-ploughed field.
were seen, though in smaller flocks, in the vicinity of Fort Franklin (lat. 652°) in the beginning of May; and

the crops of those that were then killed were filled with the seeds of the Arbutus alpina. They breed in the
moist meadows of the Arctic Sea. The nest, placed in a small hillock,

among moss and stones, is composed
externally of the dry stems of grasses, interwoven to a considerable thickness, and lined very neatly and com-
pactly with deer’s hair. The eg

ggs, usually seven in number, are pale ochre-yellow, spotted with brown.”

After a perusal of the above passages, it will be evident to every one that the Lapl

Arctic species, that it breeds and spends the summer in all parts of the Circle w
themselves, and that when th

€ snow carpets the mountains, and the fells
retires southwardly to some district wh

when its summer home will be ag

In the preceding year they

and Bunting is truly an
here suitable localities present

are covered up for the winter, it

ere a supply of food is still to be found, and there awaits the time
ain fitted for its reception.

A word with regard to the apparent affinities of this bird m
closely allied to that section

dinacea, pertains, there can be,
is generically distinct ;
Pipits, and Wagtails.

ay not here be inappropriate. That it is
our black-headed species, Schenicola arun-
In my opinion, but little doubt; but its long hind claw proves that it
in this part of its structure it differs from all insessorial birds except the Larks,
Some persons have considered that the lengthened claw allies it to the members
of the genus A/auda or true Larks ; but, as Mr. Blyth very justly remarks, this is very superficial. It is a bird
ch it passes differently from most others; for it neither runs like a
' like a Sparrow, but moves in a manner which partakes of the actions of both.
I have reason to believe that a considerable change of plumage takes place in the male at Opposite periods
of the year, and that the black head ;
accompanying plate, give place to
The figures represent a male

of the Buntings to which

that is much on the ground, over whi
Lark or a Wagtail, nor hops

the upper surface, shown in the
dress in winter.

a female, and a br Py manatee .
; ale, and a brood of young just ready to fly, all of the natural size.