SNOW BUNTING. 475 
which, according to my note-books, I have observed the 
Snowflake in the outer Hebrides, was on Sunday the 28th 
of September 1817, on which day it is recorded that on 
the ridge between Maodal and Ronaval I saw a Snow 
Bunting; and in returning along the shore by the low hills 
of Drimafuind saw another. In another place, dated 
Luachar, in Harris, I find the following statement. ‘‘ The 
Snow Bunting is frequently met on the hills in small flocks. 
I am told they are never seen in summer, nor have I ever 
met with them there beyond the end of April; yet the 
little flocks which I have often observed, were apparently 
family groups; nor do these birds appear in large con- 
gregations, such as we often see along the shores of Scot- 
land or England. On the 4th of August 1830, being on 
the summit of Ben-na-muic-dui, the highest mountain in 
Scotland, I observed a beautiful male flitting about in the 
neighbourhood of a great patch of snow ; it was also seen 
by Dr. Greville at the same time. Some days after, hay- 
ing descended from the top of Lochnagar, to its corry, 
along with Dr. Martin Barry, in quest of plants, I met 
with a flock of eight individuals, flying about among the 
blocks of granite. They were evidently a family, the male 
and female being easily distinguished from the young. It 
is therefore very probable that the Snowflake breeds on 
the higher Grampians ; and perhaps in considerable num- 
bers, although it is not likely that the vast flocks seen in 
the lower grounds in winter are exclusively of Scottish 
origin.” 
I may further add here, that Colonel Thornton in his 
Sporting Tour in the Highlands of Scotland, says, Snow- 
flakes were seen upon the summit of a Ptarmigan moun- 
tain August 29th. Mr. Selby says, that “these birds ge- 
nerally arrive in the upland or mountainous districts about 
