26 LAPLAND BUNTING. 



desolate, and none but the most scanty vegetation clothes 

 the mountainous and hilly prospect. 



It moves southwards to avoid severe weather. It is said 

 to be capable of being easily kept in confinement. 



Its flight, when roused, is described as being quick and 

 buoyant, but for the most part it is to be seen on the ground, 

 where it runs along, holding its body, as do its relatives the 

 Larks, in an inclined position, intent doubtless on the one 

 great object of its daily life, the procuring its necessary food. 

 If a bird of prey appears while it is on the wing, it alights 

 and crouches close to the ground. 



The food of this bird consists of the seeds of various Arctic 

 and Alpine plants, especially, it is said, those of the willow 

 and the Alpine arbutus, and also of insects. 



The note is described by Meyer as sounding like the syllables 

 'itirr,' and 'twee;' and it utters it more while on the wing 

 than when perched. In addition to these the male is reported 

 to have a pleasing song. 



The nest is placed on some small hillock in low marshy 

 situations, among moss and stones, and is built of stems of 

 grass, neatly and compactly lined with hair or feathers. 



The eggs, usually six or seven in number, are pale yellow, 

 spotted with brown. 



Male; length, six inches and a half, and six and three 

 quarters; bill, yellow, blackish at the tip; in the winter 

 brownish yellow; from its base a narrow streak of white 

 passes downwards, till it nearly joins that mentioned presently, 

 which proceeds from above the eye. Iris, dark brown, or, 

 according to Meyer, chesnut; a reddish or brownish white 

 streak runs backwards from it, and then descends along the 

 sides of the neck to the breast, where it joins the white of 

 that part; it is palest near the bill. In the second Brighton 

 specimen, as described by William Borrer, Esq., Jun., the 

 bill was bluish red, excepting the tip, which was black. Fore- 

 head, crown, and back of the head, rich black, the feathers 

 broadly edged with brownish red or greyish white after the 

 autumnal moult; those at the base of the bill black; sides of 

 the head reddish, spotted with black. Neck in front, black, 

 deepest in summer; on the back light reddish brown, mixed 

 with greyish in winter; nape, bright chesnut brown. Chin, 

 throat, and breast above, black; the feathers strongly edged 

 with greyish white in the winter after the autumnal moult; 

 below dull white, streaked and spotted with blackish on the 



