THE LAPLAND BUNTING. 



Calcarius lapponicus (Linnaeus). 

 Plate i8. 



The first occurrence of the Lapland Bunting in England was noted by Selby 

 in the year 1826. Since that time, however, it has often been taken, while in 

 autumn flocks have been observed on the east coast. 



The summer home of this Bunting is in the far north, where it breeds within 

 the circumpolar regions, moving southwards in autumn to pass the winter in 

 warmer latitudes. 



The nest is placed in some depression on the ground by the side of a hillock or 

 tuft of grass, among marshy wastes, beyond the region of forest trees ; with here 

 and there a few stunted birches or willows. It is built of dead grass-stems, moss, 

 and roots, and, according to Seebohm, is " profusely lined with feathers." The 

 eggs vary in number from four to six, and in ground colour are pale brown or grey, 

 blotched and streaked with darker brown. 



The food of the Lapland Bunting, like that of its allies, consists of seeds and 

 insects, and the song is usually delivered while the bird is in the air. 



In the female those parts of the head and breast which are black in the male 

 are streaked with dark brown or black on a ground of buff; the chestnut at the 

 back of the neck being duller, and also streaked. 



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