Bird-Life in Labrador. 27 



of a hundred or more hungry birds were hopping about in all 

 directions, busily feeding and not a bit alarmed at the approach 

 of two strange gentlemen of the hunter's persuasion, while 

 they fairly poo-hooed among themselves at the very idea that 

 those two long, inanimate-looking sticks they carried could do 

 them any harm. But those same two gentlemen walked care- 

 fully up to the buntings, singled out their victims, and fired ; 

 result, five dead birds. The flock hustled off a few rods, as 

 much as to say, " there, now, get away with you," and began 

 feeding again. Once more the two gentlemen walked carefully 

 within range and then fired ; result, three more dead birds. 

 This time the flock swept past the hunters and landed as far 

 the other side of them, as if prompted by a sudden desire to 

 entirely outflank the enemy. The third time the birds seemed 

 more wary and of a consequence did exactly the wrong thing 

 for them, huddling closer together to consult about the matter. 

 A grand bang, and the field was covered with bodies, while the 

 meeting broke up and its members were seen hurrying beyond 

 the hill towards the left. Again, result, eight birds shot on the 

 ground, three on the wing. Thus the hunters followed up the 

 flock bagging a fair potpie. Oh ! how fat the birds were. We 

 saw the buntings many times after this grand massacre ; some- 

 times they were few and wild, sometimes many and tame. 

 Sometimes they alighted, and sometimes they havered about 

 and above on the wing thus presenting most beautiful targets 

 for gun practice. But in a few weeks, as soon as the snow was 

 off the ground for good, they were all gone, and none did we 

 see until the returning fall. My companion told me that the 

 boys often follow them about and kill them with stones, they 

 are so tame. 



LAPLAND LONGSPUR 



Centrophanes lapponicus. (L.) KAUP. 



THIS species is found singly or in twos and threes, either 

 alone or in company with flocks of snow buntings, everywhere 



