120 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



western side of the Uists and Benbecula, where they are first 

 noticed. These flights are probably migrants from Iceland, none 

 of the Hebridean mountains being of sufficient elevation to detain 

 the species in summer. I cannot learn whether the birds are 

 again seen on their return journey. 



Large flocks of Snow Buntings are observed in Ayrshire and 

 Lanarkshire during the months of November and December. 

 These are principally observed on flat pasture lands, where they 

 keep in compact bodies, reminding one of large flights of starlings. 

 In this way they often appear on Glasgow Green, and grounds of 

 a similar character within a few miles of the city: and are also 

 known as regular winter visitants in the neighbourhood of the 

 Campsie Hills, where they attract attention when flying about 

 like drifting clouds along the hill sides. 



It is verj 7 difficult to establish the fact of this species breeding 

 regularly in Scotland, but that it does so in limited numbers can 

 hardly be doubted. The nest is not easy of discovery; indeed, 

 in many cases it must be almost inaccessible, at least to any one 

 but the most enthusiastic egg collector. Our highest mountain 

 tops, where alone such a treasure as a snow flake's nest can be 

 found in this country, are but seldom visited, save by wandering 

 shepherds, whose attention is taken up with more important 

 objects than small birds. Many of these men whom I have con- 

 sulted tell me that they see the Snow Bunting in small parties 

 throughout the year. I have most satisfactory information of 

 this nature from persons who at regular intervals traverse the 

 mountains of Aberdeen, Banff, and Inverness, extending from east 

 to west, including Lochnagar, Ben-na-buird, Ben Avon, Ben-mac- 

 dhui, Glasmheal, Cairngorm, and Cairntoul. Again, in Ross-shire, 

 Ben Wyvis, Ben Dearig, and an entire group of " Bens" lying to 

 the south and east of Gairloch, are likewise frequented by small 

 flocks in summer. All my informants seem to know the bird 

 perfectly by its Gaelic name, and from some of them I have 

 obtained specimens in summer plumage ; but it has been a source 

 of wonder to them how they have never happened to find its nest. 

 The birds are generally met with on the summit of the mountains, 

 where there are large masses of splintered rock lying scattered 

 about in wild confusion, and it is on ground of that nature that 

 the search should be made. Wearied shepherds, however, at the 

 close of a toilsome climb of three or four thousand feet cannot, 



