126 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
picking up caterpillars. Dr. Coppinger informed me that Snow 
Buntings were common in Polaris Bay throughout July, 1876. 
Laptanpd Buntine, Plectrophanes lapponica. — Far less 
numerous than the last species, and ] did not meet with it north 
of Disco; there, however, I observed several pairs. This bird is 
more silent and retiring than the Snow Bunting, and its song 
is more subdued and plaintive, at times much resembling that of 
the Redbreast. On the 10th July I found a nest of this species 
by the little lake at Blase Dalen, in Disco, with four young. The 
nest was composed of dry grass and small twigs, deep, and lined 
with hair and feathers; it was placed in an under-growth of Salix 
arctica and Archangelica officinalis, about a foot and a half above 
the ground. The young were clad with a dark down. The female 
parent suffered herself to be lifted from the nest and replaced 
without attempting to escape, while the male kept up a continual 
angry chattering, flying almost into my face. 
Raven, Corvus corax.—On the 13th July, 1875, I saw a pair 
of Ravens at Englishman’s Bay, in Disco; they had a breeding- 
place to the west of that near the shore. On the 4th September, 
1876, I saw a pair at Lyell Bay, lat. 79° 32’, and on the 80th 
and following days they were very numerous at Egedesminde, 
where they live upon shell-fish, dead fish, and other sea-shore 
garbage. They are protected there, as they are invaluable 
scavengers. Seven or eight of these birds pursued one of our 
Discovery Bay Esquimaux puppies, which I endeavoured to 
bring home to England, and drove the terrified animal into the 
water, pecking at its eyes and buffeting it about the head with their 
wings. In the middle of July, 1876, a pair were constantly seen 
about Polaris Bay; they had their nesting-place at Cape Lubton, 
a little to the northward. This appears to be the most northern 
settlement of the Raven. 
Rock Prarmican, Lagopus rupestris.—On the 7th July, 1875, 
I saw one Ptarmigan at Disco. Having no gun the bird escaped, 
though admitting of approach within a couple of yards; this was 
at an altitude of about 2000 feet, and the bird was snowy white. 
Ptarmigan were subsequently obtained, or observed, at various 
points between Disco and Discovery Bay, The southern shores 
of Hayes Sound seemed perhaps the best adapted places 
for their support. With the exception, perhaps, of the Snowy 
Owl, the present species appears to be the hardiest northern 
