10 ?he zooLoaist. 



Plectrophanes nivalis Snow Bunting. — We observed the first 

 Snow Buntings on the 7th of September, 1882. At the com- 

 mencement they were to be found on the southern slopes of the 

 mountains, where not only a richer vegetation, but also plants 

 more beautifully developed, and bearing much seed, are to be 

 met with. From the beginning until the 15th of October 

 these birds were to be seen on the edge of the shallow 

 trough-shaped puddles which lie around the southern lagoon, 

 whither the frequent storms blew the seeds, which, after the 

 drying up of the water, were left deposited on the edge or bottom 

 of the pool ; at this time, too, the Snow Buntings were to be 

 seen on the steep " bird- walls," in the fissures of which, richly 

 covered with guano, there flourishes a luxuriant vegetation. All 

 the specimens shot in the autumn were very fat and variously 

 coloured. After the 31st of October these birds were no 

 longer observed. From the 18th to 24th of February, 1883, 

 Snow Buntings were again seen, although mostly singly. In the 

 month of March Buntings were to be seen during every fairly 

 long excursion. From the 25th of March onwards one saw 

 already flocks of from five to fifteen specimens together. At the 

 end of March these birds were to be seen in large numbers, 

 especially around the station, where they always found nourish- 

 ment. A stop was put to the shooting of Buntings, but in a 

 couple of days we caught about thirty by a very primitive 

 method. May 10th, 1883 : although as many as twenty Buntings 

 were daily found frozen near the station, about sixty were still to 

 be seen, which were fed several times daily. Until the 10th of 

 May it was continuously cold — stormy winds, snow-fall, and 

 snow-drifts. Snow Buntings were to be seen until right into 

 July. A pair appeared to breed on the island ; the male came 

 daily a few times to the station, flying with song from stone to 

 rock ; our only song bird cheered us with his song, — but even 

 this last one fell a victim to a Falcon. I was not able, by any 

 means, to keep imprisoned Snow Buntings alive. They certainly 

 took food immediately on the first day, but succumbed never- 

 theless sooner or later, — at latest in three weeks. The specimens 

 brought home showed every degree of change in plumage, 

 starting from the immature dress to that of the adult bird in full 

 plumage. 



Plectrophanes calcarata, Pall, Lapland Bunting.— * A single 



