TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 79 



seldom seen more than a pair together, except 

 when the young birds have left their nests, when 

 the different families are abroad preparatory to 

 their final separation : they are mostly to be found 

 amongst the rocks, near to the sea-shore. 



Anthus pratensis, Bechst. Titlark. Mea- 

 dow Pipit. — The Titlark is common in both coun- 

 tries, but not so numerous as the Rock-lark. There 

 are no trees on which it can perch, but the rocks and 

 stone walls afford a good substitute ; it is chiefly 

 found near or about the edges of the lakes, and 

 does not visit the sea-shore so much as the Rock- 

 lark. 



Alauda arvensis, Linn. Lavrock*. Skylark. 

 — This bird makes its appearance very early in the 

 spring, and remains during the summer and au- 

 tumn, but retires to a more southern latitude on 

 the approach of winter. 



Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer. Snowflake*. 

 Snow Bunting. — The Snowflake appears regu- 

 larly in both countries, in large flocks, in the be- 

 ginning of winter, and leaves again on the approach 

 of spring. It is numerous about Lerwick and 

 Stromness. Specimens shot in these islands do not 



