50 LAPLAND BUNTING SNOW BUNTING. 



blotched, spotted, and scribbled with purplish brown and 

 underlying patches of grey. 



LAPLAND BUNTING (Calcarius lapponicus). 



An irregular visitor, usually observed in autumn and winter. 



Observation. Distinguish from last by white stripe above 

 and not below eye. 



Plumage. Crown, cheeks, throat, and chest black ; white 

 stripe over eye and down sides of neck ; chestnut band across 

 back of neck ; upper parts tawny brown, centred with blackish 

 and with pale margins. Tail dark brown. Belly white, streaked 

 with black on flanks. Bill yellow, tipped with black. Legs 

 black. Length 6J in. Female : no black on head and chest, 

 but streaked with brownish black, paler above. In winter 

 plumage of both sexes more tawny. 



Language. Song, not unlike the Tree Pipit's, and delivered 

 in a similar manner. Call-note, a plaintive whistle. Another 

 note, like " chee-up." 



Habits. Flight rapid and undulating. It is quite distinct 

 on account of the contrasting black and white markings of the 

 head. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, and various seeds. 



Nidification. Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis). 



Usually a winter visitor. Much more commonly met with in 

 Scotland, rarer in England. A few individuals remain to breed 

 in the extreme North. 



Haunts. Waste lands, &c., usually near the sea. 



Plumage. Head, neck, part of the wings, and under parts 

 white ; upper parts black. Bill and legs black. Length 6f in. 

 Female: head and upper parts mottled with dull black, and 

 otherwise duller ; winter plumage, upper parts edged with 

 chestnut ; bill yellow, tipped with black. Young, greyish brown, 

 and darker above and below. 



Language. Song, a low melodious warble, uttered either 

 when perched or fluttering in the air like a Tree Pipit. Call- 

 note, "tsee." Alarm-note, " tweek." 



Habits. Flight vacillating. It feeds principally on the 

 ground, where it runs quickly or hops. 



Food. Insects, seeds, and grain. 



Neat. June or July. One brood. 



Site. In clefts in rocks, amongst a heap of stones, &c. 



Materials. Dry grass, roots, and moss, lined with hair, wool, 

 and feathers. 



Eggs. Four to six. Greyish white, spotted and blotched 

 with reddish brown and purplish black. 



