460 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



and have always a great predominance of white in their 

 plumage. 



The Snow-Buntings are seen in spring to assemble 

 in Norway and its islands in great numbers ; and, after a 

 stay of about three weeks, they disappear for the season, 

 and migrate across the arctic ocean to the farthest known 

 land. On their return in winter to the Scottish High- 

 lands their flights are said to be immense, mingling, by 

 an aggregating close flight, almost into the form of a ball, 

 so as to present a very fatal and successful mark for 

 the fowler. They arrive lean, but soon become fat ; in 

 Austria they are caught in snares or traps, and, when 

 fed with millet, become equal to the Ortolan in value 

 and flavor. When caged, they show a very wakeful dis- 

 position, instantly hopping about in the night when a light 

 is produced. Indulgence in this constant train of action, 

 and perpetual watchfulness, may perhaps have its influ- 

 ence on this species, in the selection of their breeding 

 places within the arctic regions, where, for months, they 

 continue to enjoy a perpetual day. 



The food of these birds consists of various kinds of 

 seeds, and the larvse of insects and minute shell-fish ; the 

 seeds of aquatic plants are also sometimes sought by them, 

 and I have found in their stomachs those of the Riippia, 

 species of Polygonum, and gravel. In a state of confine- 

 ment they shell and eat oats, millet, hemp-seed, and 

 green peas, which they split. They rarely perch, and, 

 like Larks, live much on the ground. 



The Snow-Bunting is about 7^ inches in length. The old male in 

 summer dress has the head, neck, and all the lower parts, as well as 

 the lesser wing-coverts, and the inferior half of the quills of a pure 

 white. Upper part of the back, the 3 secondary feathers of the 

 wings nearest to the body, the bastard wing, and the upper half 

 of the quills, black. The 3 lateral feathers of the tail white, with 

 black marks towards their ends, the 4th white on the upper part of 



