EMBERIZID. 159 
The term “‘ Snow Flake” has also been applied to 
this bird, to show the propriety of which name, 
Dr. Saxby, writing from Shetland, where these birds 
are numerous, gives the following description :— 
“Seen against a dark hill-side or a lowering sky, a 
flock of these birds presents an exceedingly beauti- 
ful appearance: it may then be seen how aptly the 
term ‘Snow Flake’ has been applied to the species. 
I am acquainted with no more pleasing combination 
of sight and sound than that afforded when a number 
of these birds, backed by a dark grey sky, drop, as 
it were, in a shower to the ground, to the music of 
their own sweet tinkling notes.” * 
The following descriptions of the Snow Bunting 
are taken from the two shot by myself at Exmouth 
in April, and also from one shot at the same place 
in the autumn: the beak is lightish yellow, except 
the tip and upper part of the upper and the tip of 
the lower mandible, which is dark horn-colour; 
irides hazel: there is a streak of rusty brown from 
the base of the upper mandible to the top of the 
head, broader on the top of the head; on each side 
of the brown is a streak of white over the eye; back 
of the head and nape speckled black and white, with 
a very slight tinge of rusty brown left here and 
there ; a streak of very light brown from the side of 
the beak to and under the eye, reaching to the ear- 
* * Zoologist’ for 1865, p. 9485. 
P2 
