The Snow Bunting. 183 



oemis, tte Germans term it die d/reifarlige Nonne, and the 

 French la Nonnette d, Ute mire, or la Nonnette a ventre lieu 

 et noir. 



The lower part of the body is pure white, the head black, 

 and the back a rich brown. There is no difference in the 

 outward appearance of the sexes; but the female is a trifle 

 smaller than her mate, and just the least bit less thick about 

 the head and neck. 



These Black-headed iN'uns are very peaceable, inoffensive 

 birds, never interfering with any of their companions, and yet 

 able to take their own part, should occasion require them to 

 do so. It is said that they will pair and produce mules with 

 the Bengali, but I have no personal experience of this cross, 

 which is also said to be fertile, inter se, as well as with either 

 of the parents. 



CHAPTER LXVII. 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



I MAT say that I never possessed a bird I thought more 

 of than the fine handsome fellow that forms the subject 

 of the present chapter, for my children, quite unknown to, 

 and unsuspected by me, bought him, with their own pocket- 

 money, and presented him to me for a Christmas-box. They 

 had heard me mention that I had seen one of these birds 

 in a shop in the town, and that I should have purchased it, 

 only I happened not to have had any change with me at the 

 time: and when afterwards, I would have done so, the bird 

 was gone. I little suspected who the purchasers had been, 

 or thought that I should ever see it again; but I was wrong, 

 for once in my life, for before many days had passed, I not 

 only' saw, but possessed the largest, and one of the handsomest 



