( 98 ) 



maries, and four middle tail feathers black. Female with those parts 

 tinged with brown. Length seven inches, wing three and three 

 eighths. 



The Snow Bunting inhabits during summer the northern reigons 

 of both continents, migrating at the approach of winter to warmer 

 parts. According to Montagu, "these birds appear in the north of 

 Scotland in large flocks during winter, and some few are said to 

 breed upon the highest mountains with the Ptarmigans ; but in the 

 south of England it is rarely seen." 



On Long Island, as in other parts of the middle districts of the 

 United States, it arrives in the early part of December. It is ex- 

 tremely hardy, and prefers the colder climates of both hemispheres, 

 its migrations depending entirely on the supply of food, which to 

 obtain it has sometimes proceeded in the U. States as far south as 

 Maryland. On its first arrival it is very lean, but soon becomes fat 

 from feeding on the seeds of dried rank weeds and withered grasses. 

 When in good condition its flesh is much esteemed; it graces the 

 table of the epicure, and by some of its admirers it is termed Orto- 

 lan, but it is more generally known by the name of "White Snow 

 Bird." The Snow Bunting inhabits situations similar to the Lark, 

 like which it displays much activity when collecting its food, and is 

 often seen running with great nimbleness. It alights on fence-rails, 

 the roofs of the out-buildings, and if a convenient opportunity offers, 

 enters the barn, and picks up the refuse seeds. It seldom alights on 

 trees, but occasionally on starting a flock, it will rise and settle on 

 a near tree, in the manner of the common Snow Bird. This spe- 

 cies keep in flocks, and when migrating, fly in close bodies and at 

 a considerable elevation. On Mount Saddleback, one of the high- 

 est peaks in the State of Massachusetts, Mr. Edwards — from whom 

 I have received the eggs — informed me, that in company with oth- 

 ers, he found, in the month of July, eleven nests. They were plac- 

 ed on the ground, and formed chiefly of dry grass, lined with hair . 

 the eggs, four in number, are thirteen-sixteenths of an inch long 

 dull white, spotted and marked with reddish-brown, which mark- 

 ings are darker and confluent at the great end. 



