SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



or more are singing together the effect is very 

 pleasing. This song is doubtless as inferior 

 to the songs heard on the breeding grounds, 

 as that of the fox sparrow heard here is in- 

 ferior to the wonderful bursts of melody it 

 pours forth in more northern regions in the 

 presence of its nesting mate. 



The Lapland longspur has long spur-like 

 hind claws, and breeds throughout the arctic 

 parts of the northern hemisphere, including 

 Lapland. From these two facts the bird takes 

 its name. It is not as common as the snow 

 bunting, but is sometimes found in flocks of 

 from twenty-five to fifty. It often associates 

 with both the snow bunting and the horned 

 lark, while the Ipswich sj^arrow is occasion- 

 ally added to the company. The Lapland 

 longspur arrives from the north early in Octo- 

 ber and is common in December and often 

 throughout January. In February, March 

 and April it is rare, but more have been seen 

 in these spring months of late years than ever 

 before. Although fluctuations of this sort in 

 bird-life occur, it is possible that the increase 

 is only apparent, and is due to the growing 

 nimiber of acute bird students. 



Sir John Richardson wrote that the Indians 

 104 



