THE SNOW BUNTING 



EMBERIZA NIFALIS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A resident, and breeds 

 very sparingly in Scotland, but chiefly known as a local 

 winter visitor to littoral and low-lying districts. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : To include the present species in an account of 

 the birds of London seems to be rather an anomaly, and I 

 only do so because it is undoubtedly a rare visitor to the 

 Metropolitan area, but one that is probably frequently 

 overlooked. The Snow Bunting has been shot so often 

 within our radius that a record of its occurrences is not 

 necessary here. I have no information relating to its 

 appearance in any of the more urban districts, but on one 

 solitary occasion I saw a single example on the extreme 

 western side of Wormwood Scrubbs. This was five years 

 ago. I believe the bird has been frequently shot at Epping, 

 and the extreme eastern suburbs are the most likely to be 

 favoured by its nomadic and uncertain visits. 



The Snow Bunting is very erratic in its movements, 

 appearing at irregular intervals and in varying numbers. 

 From October onwards to the following early spring this 

 bird, if it comes at all, may be expected in the London 

 area. Odd birds frequently attach themselves to flocks 

 of other Buntings and Finches at this season, and I have 

 seen individuals massed with Skylarks. In the breeding 

 season June and July the male has a pleasing musical 

 song, uttered both when at rest or fluttering in the air ; 

 the notes are a shrill whit, and the usual long-drawn, 

 Bunting-like peezh. The former only is heard in England, 

 as a rule. The food of this species consists of seeds, 

 grain, small fruits, insects, and larvae. It spends a good 

 deal of time upon the ground, running and hopping about 



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