BIRDS. 181 



the steep hill-side was studded with the glisteiiiug skulls of the victims. Every large depression 

 held a heavy suow-bauk, aud the tops of the hills were gray with masses of licheu-covered rocks or 

 a stunted vegetation. On the summit overlooking this desolate scene were two walrus-hide huts, 

 shelt-feriug a few survivors of a village which contained nearly two hundred inhabitants a little 

 over a year before. As we made our way up to these huts we were greeted by the hard rattling 

 chir-r-r of several Snow Buntings as they flew from place to place before us. Their note was dif- 

 ferent from any that I have ever heard them utter during their winter visit to the south, and was 

 one of protest or alarm, as shown by the uneasiness of the birds as they flitted overhead. Wo 

 suspected they were nesting from their movements, and asked three or four native children, 

 who ran to meet us, if they knew where the birds had their eggs. In an instant a broad smile 

 illuminated each grimy countenance, and away they scampered, each eager to be the first to reach 

 the spot and gain the prize. Just back of the huts, about 100 yards distant on the hill-side, and 

 sheltered by a slight tussock, Mas placed a warm closely-made structure of fine grass stems inter- 

 woven throughout with feathers and the cottony seed-tops of plants. The central depression was 

 built uniformly like the rest of the nest, and the entire structure measured 2^ inches high by 

 4i inches across the top, and 2A inches across the central depression, which latter was 1^ inches 

 deep, and contained one fresh egg. Its ground color is dull grayish-white with a tint of bluish ; 

 over this is spread an abundance of reddish-brown markings, in the form of dots and irregular 

 spots, which are larger and form a ring around the large end of the egg. The nest was taken, and 

 the female was shot, while she hovered restlessly about, uttering her sharp chirring note. As we 

 returned slowly toward the shore, the male flew about us continually, uttering a loud plaintive 

 call-note like the syllables "p-c/ii>," prolonged at the end, the entire timeof our stay in the neigh- 

 borhood. It exhibited the greatest distress, and appeared to be perfectly aware of our having 

 the female in our possession, for the vicinity of its rifled nest was deserted, aud it followed us 

 over 100 yards, circling about and keeping close by, perfectly regardless of any danger to itself. 



Later in the season, during the latter half of July aud first of August, the young Snow Buntings 

 were found fully-fledged and accompanying the parents wherever we landed on the shore of the 

 Arctic either on the American or Asiatic coasts. It was also seen on Wrangel aud Herald Islands, 

 aud on the former, two pair of adults with their young broods greeted us as we set foot upon that 

 previously unknown shore. When these Buntings prepare for their northward flight in spring- 

 in Jforthcrn Illinois they gather in flocks, and I once heard a flock utter a sweet warbling song in 

 a low musical chorus as they were perched in the tree-tops on a street in the city of Chicago. In 

 the far north, however, I have never heard this, and can only recall the rolling call-note previouslj' 

 mentioned, and the rich clear aud rather hard song which is uttered by the male during the mating 

 season and for a short time afterwards. 



Hearne tells us that the Suowflake may be kept alive for a long time iu a cage, and if placed 

 near a canary learns the song of the latter and sings both winter and summer, thus showing that 

 the bird possesses considerable musical ability as well as power of mimicry. 



At Plover Bay, East Siberia, I heard it uttering a loud clear whistling song from the jutting 

 points of the rocks on the hill-side. The song consisted of a few short notes, which were repeated 

 at intervals of a few minutes in a clear wild tone, striking the ear harmoniously amid the sur- 

 rounding wilderness of bare, rocky, mountain slopes. 



Along the Alaskan shore of Bering Sea it is not an abundant breeding species, but a pair or 

 two may be found at almost any point where the coast is rugged and high land is found in the 

 vicinity. It arrives there during the last half of April and lingers until winter sets iu. 



At Cumberland Gulf, on the west coast of Davis's Strait, its arrival is recorded by Kumlieu 

 as occurring on the 1st of May, and the first eggs were obtained there by him June 20. It nests 

 there in the fissures iu the rocks and among the Eskimo graves and cairns, aud oue nest of 

 this bird has been found constructed in the cavity of an Eskimo skull. All accounts agree iu 

 stating that it is a bulky structure of grass, lined with feat hers, and containing from four to six eggs. 



During the Nares Expedition Cai^tain Feilden found a Snow Bunting's nest June 24, iu lati- 

 tude 82° north. The nest contained four eggs aud was within 20 feet of a Snowy Owl's nest. It 

 was made of grass and lined with the owl's feathers. Another nest was lined with the fine wool 

 of the Musk Ox. 



