THE SNOW BUNTING 
EMBERIZA NIVALIS 
LocaL names in surrounding counties : 
Status IN British AvirAuNA: A resident, and breeds 
very sparingly in Scotland, but chiefly known as a local 
winter visitor to littoral and low-lying districts. 
RapiaL DisTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s: ‘To include the present species in an account of 
the birds of London seems to be rather an anomaly, and IJ 
only do so because it is undoubtedly a rare visitor to the 
Metropolitan area, but one that is probably frequently 
overlooked. ‘The Snow Bunting has been shot so often 
within our radius that a record of its occurrences is not 
necessary here. I have no information relating to its 
appearance in any of the more urban districts, but on one 
solitary occasion I saw a single example on the extreme 
western side of Wormwood Scrubbs. ‘This was five years 
ago. I believe the bird has been frequently shot at Epping, 
and the extreme eastern suburbs are the most likely to be 
favoured by its nomadic and uncertain visits. 
The Snow Bunting is very erratic in its movements, 
appearing at irregular intervals and in varying numbers. 
From October onwards to the following early spring this 
bird, if it comes at all, may be expected in the London 
area. Odd birds frequently attach themselves to flocks 
of other Buntings and Finches at this season, and I have 
seen individuals massed with Skylarks. In the breeding 
season—June and July—the male has a pleasing musical 
song, uttered both when at rest or fluttering in the air ; 
the notes are a shrill whit, and the usual long-drawn, 
Bunting-like peezhb. ‘The former only is heard in England, 
as a rule. The food of this species consists of seeds, 
grain, small fruits, insects, and larve. It spends a good 
deal of time upon the ground, running and hopping about 
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