i;,2 TllK TvAPLAXD BUXTINT, 



though parti}' concealed by broad whitish borders. After the autumn moult all 

 the feathers have pale tawu}- borders, but the distinguishing characteristics of the 

 male are not wholly lost. The young nearly resemble the female, but are mure 

 tawny and more uniformly streaked above. 



There is always a chance of anyone familiar with the appearance of this 

 species being fortunate enough to observe and recognize it upon our coasts during 

 the autumn or spring migrations : since the completion of Howard Saunders' 

 Manual, numerous examples have been either killed or noticed. Even as late in 

 the year as the iith Ma}-, Mr. John Cordeaux ("Zoologist" 1893, p. 225) 

 observed an adult male in full summer dress on the short herbage on the edge 

 of the Bempton Cliffs, iu Yorkshire. Mr. Cordeaux, who was accompanied by 

 Mr. M. Bailey, of Flamborough, says : — " We both observed it for some little time 

 through our glasses about half a dozen yards awa}-, till it flew down the cliff-face 

 amongst a crowd of Guillemots and other rock birds, and did not after this show 

 itself again. What particularl}- struck me when watching this bird was the 

 intense black of the dark parts as contrasted with the yellow bill, broad white 

 streak over and backward from the eye, and chestnut collar." 



Judging from Seebolim's account of this species it is, as might be expected, 

 a late breeder, he says : — " In the valley of the Petchora we did not meet with it 

 at Ust Zylma, iu lat. 66°, until the i8th of May; and in the valley of the Yenesay, 

 on the Koorayika, in lat. 66i°, a solitary Lapland Bunting appeared for the first 

 time on the 4th of June — in each case at least six weeks after the arrival of the 

 Snow- Bunting. In both cases I had an excellent opportunity of watching their 

 habits. The first birds to arrive were males, principall}' in compau}- with Shore- 

 Larks ; they passed through on migration for about a fortnight, the latter flocks 

 being almost entirely composed of females. They seem to be entirely ground- 

 feeders, and ran about very actively wherever there was any bare ground ; but 

 before the snow had entirely disappeared the Lapland Buntings had also taken 

 their departure, and we did not meet with them again until we had passed the 

 limit of forest growth. On migration they repeatedly perched in trees, and when 

 disturbed generally sought refuge in a tree. Like the Shore-Lark and the Snow- 

 Bunting, the Lapland Bunting occasionally hops; its flight is quick and powerful, 

 but more undulating than that of the Snow-Bunting. In its song the Lapland 

 Bunting reminds one both of the Snow-Bunting and the Tree Pipit. The notes 

 are not very loud, but are musical, and are continued for some time ; and every 

 now and then a curious note is introduced which sounds like chciig, the consonants, 

 both at the beginning and the end, being pronounced gutturall}', as in German. 

 This note is also frequently repeated alone, and is probably the note of endearment 



