Birds. 9305. 
Chipping Sparrow (Fringilla socialis). On the 17th of October I 
examined one of these common sparrows. Length 5} inches; extent 
of wings 8} inches. 
Snow Bird (Fringilla nivalis). In October shot two of these birds; 
’ though common, they are not very numerous in this neighbourhood, 
but, like most of the smaller species, are easy of approach. Length 
6 inches; extent of wings 9} inches. 
Shore Lark (A/auda alpestris). In October J found a small flock 
feeding among the wheat stubble, and though several shots were fired 
they did not quit the field until three or four of their number had 
fallen. One slightly wounded in the wing was caged and brought to 
Scotland, where it met with an untimely fate, having been killed by 
mice or rats: it frequented the perch, and had become very tame: it 
was a male bird, but never sang, though emitting at times a faint 
plaintive note. When disturbed, I observed one or two, on quitting 
the stubble, perch on a rail. It cannot be a very common species, or 
I should have met with it oftener. They were in fine condition, 7. e., 
very fat. One of the largest is 77 inches in length, and 13 inches in 
extent of wings. : 
Snow Bunting (Emberiza nivalis). On the 29th of October, I found 
a large flock feeding in a stubble-field; when disturbed they rose at 
once to a great height, and were soon lost sight of, ascending by cir- 
cular sweeps, the birds much scattered ; stragglers to be seen sporting 
and chasing about in all directions, but invariably reuniting with the 
flock, which, though rising rapidly, would occasionally drop a con- 
siderable distance, and then as quickly reascend. Having watched 
their return, I observed them alight on a distant part of the field, which 
was of great extent. On following them up they again took wing, 
three only having fallen to my shot, in consequence of their loose 
order of flight. The screeching of two wounded birds brought the 
covey back before I had time to reload, when, passing and repassing 
within a few yards of me, they hovered and fluttered over them with a 
plaintive reiterated cry, and a few I observed settle on the ground 
close to the dying birds. They are strong and tenacious of life, strug- 
gling to the last: one I was nearly losing, in consequence of the rapid 
manner in which it ran through the stubble to some broken rocky 
ground, to which it was traced by the blood shed by the way, and 
with which the plumage was bespattered: it was quite dead when 
picked up. One or two more having been shot, the flock suddenly dis- 
_ appeared. They measure about 63 inches in length, and 12 inches in 
extent of wings. One word, in passing, respecting the somewhat vexed 
VOL. XXII. 3 L 
