36 EMBERIZID.E. 



some of the lofty and lonely mountains of Scotland. In 

 support of this opinion we may quote several instances of its 

 being seen in various parts of Scotland during the summer. 

 Mr. Macgillivray says, " 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. Some days after, 

 having descended from the top of Lochnagar, to its corry, 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 Snow-flake breeds on the 

 higher Grampians, and perhaps in considerable numbers, 

 although it is net likely that the vast flocks seen in the lower 

 grounds in winter are exclusively of Scottish origin." Other 

 observers have likewise noticed these birds in Scotland during 

 the summer ; but they do not appear to penetrate into Eng- 

 land until later in the season. Selby says " they generally 

 arrive in the upland and mountainous districts about the 

 middle or latter part of October in large flocks. As the 

 severity of winter increases, they leave the heaths, where they 

 have fed upon the seeds of various grasses, and, descending to 

 the lower grounds, frequent the oat-stubbles ; and if the snow 

 lies deep, they approach the coasts, where the influence of the 

 sea breeze soon exposes a sufficient breadth of ground to 

 afford them subsistence." 



In Shetland these birds are considered to be only winter 

 migrants. According to Mr. Edmonston they are usually 

 seen about the beginning of November, and continue there 

 in straggling flocks until the beginning of May. It is pro- 

 bable that Scotland presents greater facilities and enticements 

 to the Snow Bunting to breed there, than any other country 

 on the southern side of the Arctic circle ; the coldness of its 

 climate, the desolate scenery in the wildest parts, and its lofty 



