Letters, Extracts from Correspondence, Notices, S^c. 365 



it would indeed be an extension of the summer range of this 

 peculiarly Arctic bird. It is possible Dr. Salvadori's supposition 

 may be correct ; for Macgillivray, always careful and cautious, 

 was inclined to believe in the probability of the Snow Bunting 

 breeding on the highest tops of the Grampians. But, until veri- 

 fied by specimens, I should be disposed to doubt the nidification 

 of this bird in so low a latitude, and to believe that the flocks 

 observed, and called " Uccelli di Vetoro " by the natives, are not 

 Plectrophanes nivalis, but the Snow-Finch [Muntifringilla nivalis, 

 Brehm), which does undoubtedly reside permanently both on the 

 high Alps and the northern Apennines. The description given 

 corresponds exactly with that of the Snow-Finch. I have before 

 me a d specimen of this bird shot by Lord Lilford, near Nice, 

 pure white beneath, with the wings and tail white and black ; and 

 a $ shot by myself, on the Gemmi Pass, in July, with the under 

 parts whitish, and the wings and tail white and brownish black. 

 I have frequently noticed flocks of this species, in spring and sum- 

 mer, on all the Alpine passes, and in the month of November 

 have met with a large flock on the crest of the Apennines, be- 

 tween Bologna and Florence, while I have never seen the Snow 

 Bunting in those regions. 



While acting critic, may I also suggest that I think Mr. 

 J. T. Moggridge must be in error in stating that the males of 

 Saxicola cachinnans and S. stapasina are at any season remark- 

 ably alike in colouring ? I am well acquainted with both birds 

 at all seasons of the year, and can assure that gentleman that 

 I never, either in Europe, Asia, or Africa, saw S. stapazina as- 

 sume any garb in the slightest degree approaching that of the 

 Black Rock Chat. Perhaps he refers to S. stapasina and /S. albi- 

 collis (sive aur-ita) ? 



I quite coincide with Mr. Moggridge's remarks on the Tithys 

 Redstart, as I have long suspected that this bird is migi-atory 

 only to a very limited extent. It certainly resides throughout 

 the year in Greece, especially in the Mainote country (Laconia), 

 where it is found most abundantly ; and I have reason to believe 

 that in our own country it is a permanent resident among the 

 wilds of Dartmoor. I have found it numerous and vigorous 

 when the hills have been covered with snow. A local naturalist 



