256 OUR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



is very similar to tliat of the yellow ammor. 

 which it resembles also in mast of its habits, 

 though it does not, like that bird, come out boldly 

 to be looked at, but gets to the summit of some 

 high tree, especially an elm, and sings its song 

 somewhat more rapidly, and ^vithout the finishing 

 note given by the other bunting. It builds in 

 a furze or some low bush. It is very common 

 on some parts of our coast, but is a local rather 

 than a general species. Ix^ vf!^^:^ are of a dingy 

 white, tinged with blue, and streaked and speckled 

 with dark brown. 



But though our common buntings are no great 

 minstrels, yet some which areoccasioiuil stragglers 

 to our land are more gifted with singing powers. 

 The Lapland Hunting (Plectrojyhnnea Lap2)onica), 

 which, though truly a native of the ^Vi'ctic shores, 

 sometimes strays hither, is described by Bech- 

 stein as having when in captivity a song much 

 like that of the linnet, while the female also 

 warbles a little. The Snow Bunting* {EmJxrizn 



* The Snow Bunting is seven inches in length. In winter the 

 plumage is variegated with black, tawny, and white ; a largi' 

 part of the wing, and whole under parts white. In summer the 

 tawny colour disappears, the head, face, and breast are white, 

 and the back blacL 



