948 PASSERES. EMBERIZA. Swynow-Buntinc 
Identity the Snow, Tawny, and Mountain Bunting under the same 
Fae head, and to consider them as belonging to one species, vary- 
Mountain ing only in colour and markings from a difference of age or 
Hone: sex, or from the effect of season. In this view, I am happy 
in possessing the powerful support of Mons. TEmmincx, who, 
both as a scientific and practical naturalist, has laboured so 
effectually in correcting the mistakes, and illustrating the 
doubts that had long involved the history of many species. 
I am aware, that not a few authors, and, amongst the rest 
Mr Montaev, (whose excellent works have contributed so 
essentially towards a correct knowledge of British Onitholo- 
gy), hold a different opinion. But, if we examine into the 
real ground of the evidence upon which they admit a speci- 
fic distinction between these birds, we shall find it to rest — 
merely upon the difference of colour or markings,—a diffe- 
rence so generally found to prevail between the young and 
adult, and the male and female, of the feathered tribe. The 
appearance of the Snow-Bunting, im any of its changes, is 
rare in the southern part of the kingdom, and few ornitho- © 
logists, therefore, have enjoyed opportunities of seeing it fre- 
quently in a living and wild state, and of witnessing its ha- 
bits and manners; circumstances so essential towards form- 
ing a correct judgment, where difference of plumage exists, 
either between the sexes, or between the young and old 
birds. Mownracu indeed confesses, that the Snow Flake ne- 
ver came under his observation in Devonshire, and the Tawny 
Bunting but seldom. In Northumberland, on the contrary, it 
rarely happens that the three varieties are not annually to be 
met with, during the winter months ; and I have neglected no 
opportunity for observation on their economy ; the result of 
which is evident in the opinion I have here assumed. Their 
habits and modes of action are precisely similar, they utter 
the same notes, and no difference is perceptible in their ana- 
tomical structure; to which may be added, that, amongst the 
numbers I have killed, regular gradations of change from 
one state to the other have repeatedly occurred. 
