4ti0 EMBERIZID.E. 



and female being easily distinguislied from the young. It is 

 therefore very probable that the Snowflake breeds on the 

 higher Grampians ; and perhaps in considerable numbers, 

 although it is not likely that the vast flocks seen in the lower 

 grounds in winter are exclusively of Scottish origin." 



I may further add here, that Colonel Thornton in his 

 Sporting Tour in the Highlands of Scotland, says, Snowflakes 

 Avere seen upon the summit of a Ptarmigan mountain August 

 29th. Mr. Selby says, that " these birds generally arrive in 

 the upland or mountainous districts about the middle or 

 latter part of October in large flocks, which seem chiefly to 

 consist of the young of the year, or Mountain Buntings, and 

 of females, or young males, the Tawny Buntings, with a few 

 adult males intermixed ; which, at this period, having scarce- 

 ly acquired their winter''s livery, are in consequence nearer to 

 the state of the tawny plumage. Afterwards, if the season 

 should be severe, small flocks are seen, principally consisting 

 of adult male birds in their winter's dress, but never in such 

 numbers as those in the two states first mentioned. As the 

 severity of the winter increases, they leave the heaths, 

 where they have fed upon the seeds of various grasses, and, 

 descending to the lower grounds, frequent the oat-stubbles ; 

 and, if the snow lies deep, they approach to the coasts, Avhere 

 the influence of the sea-breeze soon exposes a sufficient 

 breadth of ground to afibrd them subsistence. Their call- 

 note is pleasing, and often repeated during their flight, which 

 is always in a very compact body ; and frequently before 

 settling on the ground they make sudden wheels, coming 

 almost in collision with each other, at which time a peculiar 

 guttural note is produced. They run with ease and celerity, 

 like the Lark genus, and never perch on trees." 



These flocks, diminished by separation and other causes, 

 are seen in Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, sometimes on 

 open heaths and warrens, at others in the marshes and fields 



