The Snow-Buxting 137 



when perched or fluttering in the air, like a Tree Pipit: the song is described as 

 a melodious warble, similar to that of the Lapland Bunting and Shore-Lark; when 

 flocks of this and other species are fl^'ing together they are said to twitter after 

 the manner of other Finches; the alarm note is described as a loud fivcck, and the 

 bird has another note resembling the harsh zslnveco of the Greenfinch and Brambling, 

 but Lord Lilford's observations* prove that this is not the call-note; it is more 

 probably a note of defiance : indeed Saxby probably means this note in his 

 description of "the sudden jarring sound which is uttered by the bird when suddenly 

 directing its course towards a neighbour. That the note in question is sometimes 

 one of anger I have repeatedly observed when two of the birds have been quarrelling 

 over their food." (Birds of Shetland, p. 91.) 



As a cage-bird, the Snow-Bunting, in spite of Herr Gatke's adverse estimate, 

 is pretty generally admired; and is very frequently' exhibited at shows. Stevenson's 

 opinion of the species certainly differed widely from that of the veteran of Heligo- 

 land, for he says: — "In confinement, I have found the Snow-Buntings very gentle 

 in disposition and extremely affectionate to one another, forming an amiable 

 contrast in both respects to the Brambling Finches. A pair, which were kindly 

 sent me for my aviary in 1862, b}' Mr. Fowler, of Gnnton, near Lowestoft, netted 

 from a very large number at that time frequenting the Gorton beach, attained very 

 nearl}- their full summer plumage, their beaks also, which are yellow in winter, 

 assuming a dark leaden tint. Both these birds, unfortunately, suffered from a 

 diseased state of the feet, which were painfully swollen, and the scutella on the 

 anterior portion of the tarsi and toes were greatly enlarged and ragged. With 

 this exception, the}' lived in apparently good health till the autumn of 1863, when 

 the female wasted away and died, and the male survived his partner only a few 

 weeks." 



It is certain that the Snow-Bunting ought not to be restricted to a cage, 

 unless it be a ver}' large one: half the charm of this beautiful species consists in 

 seeing it fly: moreover it is only to be expected that a bird accustomed to wander 

 over some of the wildest regions of the earth and sea, should feel stunned and 

 miserable when confined within narrow limits and constantly subjected to inspection 

 in a stuff}' room. An out-door aviary would be the most suitable home for it, and 

 the larger the better. Swaysland indeed states that "as it is a somewhat dull 

 bird, it is not desirable for either cage or aviary," and others have told me that 

 it makes a stupid cage-bird; but Swaysland gives no details; indeed his account 

 of the species inclines one to the belief that he is not speaking from personal 

 experience: in any case its song should atone for everything, for Captain H. W. 



* Jlr. Harting also (Bird.s of Middlesex, p. 75) likeus the call-note to that of the Liiiiiet. 

 Vol. U. N2 



