THE SNOW-FINCH. 



Montifringilla nivalis, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 17. 



This Alpine bird, an inhabitant of the mountains of Southern Europe, has twice 

 been shot in England, the first at Rye Harbour, Sussex, in February 1905, and the 

 other at Paddock Wood, Kent, in December 1906. 



The nest is placed in some crevice of a rock or building, and is composed of 

 dead grass-stalks and fine roots, lined inside with hair, feathers, and wool, and 

 contains four or five pure white eggs. 



It feeds principally on insects and seeds ; and the bird may often be seen flitting 

 about among the rocks and stones on the barren mountain slopes which it frequents. 



The female resembles the male, but is duller in colour, and has less black on 

 the throat. 



Ill 



