186 



EMBERIZID^E. 



accurate, was inclined to the opinion that the Snow Bunting 

 or Snow-flake breeds on the higher Grampians, having 

 observed a specimen on a mountain of this range so early 

 as the 4th of August, while the migratory flocks do not 

 appear until two months later. " About the end of October 

 it makes its appearance along the coasts or on the higher 

 grounds of the south of Scotland, and about the same 

 period in the south of England, although it is there of much 

 less frequent occurrence. Assembled in large straggling 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



flocks, or scattered in small detachments, these birds may 

 be seen flying rather low along the shore, somewhat in the 

 manner of Larks, moving in an undulating line by means 

 of repeated flappings and short intervals of cessation, and 

 uttering a soft and rather low cry, consisting of a few 

 mellow notes, not unlike those of the Common Linnet, but 

 intermixed at times with a sort of stifled scream or churr. 

 When they have found a fitting place, they wheel suddenly 

 round, and alight rather abruptly, on which occasion the 



