THE PASSERINE BIRDS 133 



insects and seeds in about equal amounts. As a songster it is a poor 

 performer, wherein it resembles its relative the Yellow Bunting. 

 As a British bird the Ortolan is but seldom met with. 



Wherever sluggish streams and osier- and reed-beds abound, 

 there, throughout Great Britain, the Reed-bunting (Plate XXVII. 

 fig. 4) may be looked for. It is a rather handsome species when 

 seen in spring ; but in autumn, just after its new feathers have been 

 assumed, the black hood is obscured by reason of the long brown 

 tips which the feathers of this region bear when first developed. 

 As the winter proceeds, these tips gradually wear off and reveal the 

 black portion. 



Though presenting a general superficial appearance to the Reed- 

 bunting, the Lapland Bunting (Plate XXVI. fig. 11) may yet be 

 readily distinguished, and this more especially by the long claw of the 

 hind-toe, which has gained for this bird the name of ** Long-spur." 



Until some fifteen years ago the Lapland Bunting was accounted 

 a rare bird in Great Britain, and it was quite unknown in these islands 

 in 1826. Between the date of its discovery (1907) and 1892 

 only forty examples had been recorded, and these all in England. 

 But in 1892 the eastern counties of England were invaded by large 

 numbers, and yet larger hosts followed in 1893, Flamborough and 

 Lincolnshire being especially favoured. Only a very few have ever 

 been taken in Scotland, while in Ireland only a single female has 

 been recorded. 



The home of this bird is in the far north ; it is indeed a circumpolar 

 species, frequenting swampy moorlands beyond the limit of forest 

 growth. 



The curious process of colour change which we described in the 

 Reed-bunting is still more strikingly marked in the case of the 

 Snow-bunting (Plate XXVII. fig. 5). Black and white, in strong 

 contrast, forms the livery of the male of this bird when seen in spring ; 

 but these hues are overlaid by chestnut-brown, when, in the autumn, 

 the annual " new clothes " are donned. The female resembles the 

 male, but is duller in plumage. 



The Snow-bunting is a winter visitor to Great Britain. A few 

 pairs remain to breed in the north of Scotland, but the majority 

 retreat to the Arctic regions to fulfil their parental duties. 



