10 EMBERIZID.E. 



between the massive rocks and stones with which the ground 

 is thickly strewn,* or idly basks in a sheltered nook where 

 the slanting rays of the northern sun shed a warmth that 

 though feeble is not despicable. Each pair of birds seems 

 to occupy at this season a limited and almost definite range, 

 the invasion of which is instantly resented by the cock, who 

 with a defiant note darts towards the intruder, when there 

 follows a fierce fight only terminated by the conquest and 

 flight of one of the antagonists, whereupon the victor re- 

 turning to his citadel celebrates the triumph in his loudest 

 strain and most fantastic dance. Even the fitful changes of 

 the stormy summer of these countries do not altogether 

 quell the spirit of this brave little bird, and through driving 

 sleet or thick fog he may still be heard at his post, while 

 with the first gleam of sunshine he is again as gay as before. 

 When his mate is sitting he will often wander to a consider- 

 able distance, but his quickness in perceiving the moment 

 that she, however silently, leaves the nest is something 

 wonderful, and his instantaneously rejoining her shews that 

 he has never been forgetful of his duty. This feature in his 

 character makes the discovery of the nest by any one who 

 has a fair amount of patience almost a matter of certainty. 

 By keeping an eye on the actions of the cock the hen must 

 sooner or later be found, and if incubation be begun not 

 many minutes will then pass before she cautiously commences 

 her return. This she generally accomplishes by a circuitous 

 route, and, creeping close to the earth, taking advantage of 

 every inequality of the ground so as if possible to keep out 

 of the spectator's sight, her movements are hard to follow, 

 and occasionally the birds'-nester will find that her ingenuity 

 has been too much for him. But prudence and a little ex- 

 perience will generally reward his efforts and enable him to 

 mark her disappearance in the mass of stones or chink of a 

 rock in which is the object of her care. Yet to reach the 

 nest when its place is thus discovered is often a work of toil. 

 It may be at the end of a long and tortuous approach, re- 



* In Arctic America at this time the food is said by Richardson to he buds 

 of Saxifraga oppositifolia, one of the earliest of northern plants. 



