104 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
1872, “in one of the highest and wildest passes of the Maritime Alps.” 
I have little doubt that he has made the mistake which has been made 
many times before, as I have elsewhere remarked (Yarrell’s Brit. B., ii., 
p- 8, note), and that the species observed by him was the Snow Finch, 
Montifringilla nivalis—a very different bird.—AL¥rrED Newron (Magdalene 
College, Cambridge). 
BREEDING RANGE OF THE Snow Buntine.— With reference to the 
note by Mr. W. Oxenden Hammond (p. 65) on the occurrence of the 
Snow Bunting, as seen by him in the highest parts of the Maritime 
Alps in June, I think it very probable he has mistaken for our Arctic 
Bunting a very beautiful Alpine bird, the Snow Finch, Montifringilla 
nivalis, the “ Alpen Schneefink” of the Germans. I am the more led to 
this conclusion from the fact that the locality stated as the nesting- 
quarters of his bird, a crevice under the window-sill of an Alpine cabin, 
is a very improbable position for the nest of a Snow Bunting, but a 
very probable one for the Snow Finch to .choose. This pretty bird, 
which at even a short distance might easily be mistaken for the Snow 
Bunting, is in the summer an inhabitant of the highest and most 
desolate regions of the mountain ranges of Southern Europe, and here, 
far above the forest region and amidst perpetual snow, it finds a 
congenial home. It is said to nest beneath the roofs of the Hospice at 
the summit of the Great St. Bernard, but more frequently in some hole 
or crevice in the rocks. In a foot-note, ‘ Yarrell’s British Birds,’ ed. iv., 
vol. ii., p. 8, the editor, Professor Newton, remarks:—“ The Snow Finch 
(Montifringilla nivalis), from its general resemblance to the Snow Bunting, 
has in several cases been the cause of error as to the occurrence of the latter 
in the South of Europe. The bill and hind claws, however, afford ready 
characters whereby the one bird may be distinguished from the other.”— 
Joun Corpeaux (Great Cotes, Ulceby). 
Hasits oF THE LyrE-BinD.—At a meeting of the Natural History 
Society of Glasgow, held in that city on the 30th November last, the 
Chairman (Mr. John A. Harvie Brown) exhibited the egg and specimens 
of the tail of the male and female Australian Lyre-bird, Menura superba, 
and read an interesting communication from Mr. C. W. Arnott Stewart 
regarding the habits and haunts of this species, from personal observation 
during his residence in the colony. The home of the Lyre-bird is in the 
deep, well-watered gulleys, where the vegetation is very dense. Fern trees 
grow in large numbers, and to a great height, sometimes to nearly forty 
feet. Sassafras, myrtle, and here and there a giant gum-tree, add variety 
to the forest, these latter being often of great size, and reaching a height of 
nearly 500 feet. During the middle of the day the birds take up their 
quarters in these dark gulleys, and it is only in the evening and early 
