SNOW FINCH. Ill 



cording to Nilsson, though he only mentions a single 

 capture: and it is equally rare in Siberia. It occurs 

 in the high mountains of Persia, and is found in 

 North America. Dr. Leith Adams informs me that it 

 is common about Candahar, so that it has a wide and 

 extensive range. In Switzerland it is found in the 

 highest mountains in the regions of everlasting snow, 

 descending to the lower parts only when driven by 

 storms; and in the spring of the year it is found in 

 the higher alpine valleys. In summer it still prefers the 

 most desolate places, where it is seldom disturbed by 

 its enemy man; such as the Usfernthal, the desert 

 regions of the Gumsel and the Simplon, and in the 

 neighbourhood of the convent of St. Bernard, where 

 it is found all the year. 



Naumann, from whom my account is principally 

 taken, says that the Swiss naturalists consider there 

 are two species or permanent varieties, one living 

 always in the Swiss mountains, the other in the south 

 of Germany; but he does not agree with this opinion, 

 considering the idea has originated in the well-known 

 migratory habits of the bird. 



The Snow Finch lives during summer, and in a 

 great part of the year where no trees grow; it is 

 therefore seen on the ground, stones, and walls or roofs 

 of buildings. It is a cheerful, restless, and vigorous 

 bird, resembling in its habits the Mountain Finch and 

 Chaffinch, and like them it runs and hops on the 

 ground, and has a similar flight, in which its beautiful 

 plumage is well displayed. It is generally considered 

 a very shy bird, but the Swiss naturalists say that 

 in their mountains it is less wild, though ever 

 cautious. It is sociable with its kind, and is seldom 

 seen alone, except during the breeding-season. When 



