14 



is similar to that of the Skylark, though rather 

 neater in construction. The eggs, which are from 

 four to six in number, have a bluish white ground, 

 speckled and spotted with black. At certain 

 periods of the year these birds are often taken in 

 great numbers in France, where they are fatted for 

 the table, and from whence they are imported into 

 this country alive. 



BUNTING, SNOW. 

 MOUNTAIN OR TAWNY BUNTING. SNOW FLAKE. 



EMBEEIZA NIYALIS, Mont. 



The various names given to this bird by early 

 authors, all referring to one and the same species, 

 have doubtless been suggested by varieties in colour 

 and markings, arising from a difference of age, or 

 from the effect of season. The Snow Bunting may 

 be generally considered as only a winter visitor to 

 this country ; a portion of the young birds of the 

 year, which breed in high northern latitudes, annu- 

 ally visiting our Islands. It is only in severe 

 weather and late in the winter season that the older 

 birds make their appearance. The Snow Bunting 

 is an inhabitant, during the breeding season, of the 

 Arctic regions, Greenland, Lapland, Hudson's 

 Bay, and other cold northern countries. The nest, 



