NOMADIC MIGRATION, i6i 



Finches. These flocks of Grosbeaks then wander 

 far and wide according to circumstances, and though 

 their southern migrations occasionally extend as 

 far as the British Islands, France, and Hungary, 

 there is no southern locahty to which they regularly 

 resort in winter, sometimes appearing in one, some- 

 times in another, just as the weather may affect 

 their movements. Their stay, even when they do 

 happen to visit these lower latitudes, is short and 

 fleeting, and a northern migration commences as 

 early as climatal conditions permit. The Shore 

 Lark {Otocoris alpestris) is another Arctic nomad 

 with no regular winter quarters, wandering about 

 at that season spending its time wherever it can 

 find food. Sometimes it wanders to the British 

 Islands, and there is evidence to show that its visits 

 are gradually becoming more regular, and the bird 

 itself more numerous. This may indicate some 

 change in higher latitudes affecting this species, 

 necessitating more regular passage, a fact from 

 which we may learn how readily a Nomadic Mio-ra- 

 tion may develop into regular Passage if the causes 

 are intensified. 



We have many of these Nomadic Migrants that 

 pay us uncertain and irregular visits, appearing in 

 the British Islands during some winters, and never 

 being seen again perhaps for years in the same 

 abundance. Some of these nomads are more regular 

 in their appearance than others. Scarcely a winter 

 passes, for instance, that does not bring Snow 

 Buntings {Emberiza mvali,s) in varying numbers ; 



