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VI. Description of the Plectrophanes Lapponica ; a Species 

 latehj discovered in the British Islands. Bi/ Prideaux John 

 Sell»/, Esq. F.L.S. Commimicated by the Zoological Club of 

 the Linnenn Society. 



Read February 7, 1826. 



The following description and figure (Tab. I.) of the Lapland 

 Bunting (the Fringilla lapponica of Linnaeus, the Emberiza cal- 

 carata of Temminck), is taken from a specimen in the valuable 

 cabinet of my friend N. A. Vigors, Esq. This individual, which 

 from its plumage appears to be a young bird, w^as found in 

 Leadenhall-market among some Larks, which had been sent up 

 to London from Cambridgeshire, and was preserved by a respec- 

 table naturalist*, from whose collection it afterwards passed 

 into that of Mr. Vigors. As a species hitherto unnoticed in 

 Britain, I have great pleasure in adding it to the list of our 

 Fauna, which within the last few years has become enriched by 

 several new and rare species. 



* Mr. George Weighton, of the City-Road; whose services to science as a col- 

 lector have already been recorded in these Tnuisaclioiis. See vol. xiv. p. 56l. 



A second individual of this species, taken alive in the neighbourhood of Brighton, 

 and kept caged for some months, as a variety of Lark, is now in the possession of 

 Mr. Yarrell of Ryder-street. It differs from the specimen described in being gene- 

 rally of a darker colour, the spots upon the breast and neck are also more distinct, 

 but the disposition of the markings the same. This difference probably arises from 

 age or sex, or it may be the result of confinement. To the last-mentioned cause may 

 also be attributed the slight elongation and rough exterior of the bill. 



Ordo. 



