BIRDS OF IVIGTUT. 39 



was seen on the 16th of May, the last on the 23d of 

 September. 



It builds its nest in similar places to the Snow Bunting, at 

 a depth of six inches to four feet, or even more. I have 

 found several nests at an elevation ranging from three feet 

 to seven hundred above sea-level, and with six, seven, or 

 eight eggs. The first-laid eggs were found June 3; the 

 latest date was June 28. 



The nests contain, on the average, one egg more than 

 those found in Denmark. One pair utilized the same nest 

 for two successive years. It was built in the stone wall 

 which surrounded the powder-magazine. During the hatch- 

 ing-season I have seen them in pairs at a height of twelve 

 hundred feet on the highlands. 



This bird seems to have learned one tune from the Snow 

 Bunting, for at the nests both males and females may be 

 heard to whistle a tune which can hardly be distinguished 

 from that of the Snow Bunting on similar occasions ; but I 

 have never heard the Danish Wheatears whistle that tune. 



[It is probable that the Greenland Wheatear is sufficiently 

 distinct to merit varietal rank. 



Besides the difference in habits noted by the present 

 author, we have the report of Mr. Howard Saunders that 

 the Greenland birds have been observed to perch on trees 

 much more than is the habit of the English-bred birds; and 

 several writers have recorded the opinion that specimens 

 from Greenland averaged a larger size than those taken in 

 Europe. — M. C] 



