THE BUNTINGS 



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small numbers of this bird visit the southern shores of Great Britain yearly. Before 

 1892 the Lapland bunting had been captured most frequently in Kent, more par- 

 ticularly near Dover; but in the autumn of that year great numbers visited Eastern 

 and Southern England; the first arrivals being observed in Norfolk during Sep- 

 tember, and these being soon after followed by large flocks. Numbers were also 

 obtained during the winter of 1892-93 on the downs near Brighton, and the species 

 has occurred in equal abundance in Northumberland. Lapland buntings, according 

 to Mr. Gurney, become tame sooner than snow buntings, while their notes are some- 

 what more silvery in tone. ' ' In captivity their habits seem no more terrestrial 



BUNTING. 

 (Two-thirds natural size.) 



than snow buntings. As spring drew on, the tints of the birds in my aviary were 

 observed to deepen, and they even showed a disposition to nest by carrying about 

 bents of hay." The male Lapland bunting in breeding plumage has the entire 

 head, throat, and upper breast black; a rich chestnut collar reaches from behind the 

 head onto the back; and the upper parts are brownish black margined with buff 

 and white. The adult female differs from the male in having light margins to the 

 feathers of the head, throat, and flanks, while the feathers of the chin and upper 

 throat are bufnsh white, with half-concealed black bases. After the autumnal 



