BIRDS. 
143 
other peat-forming plants, and, at an earlier period still, the Scotch 
fir, must have formerly flourished. 
It is worthy of remark that the buds of Saxifraga oppositifolia 
form the favourite food of the snow-bunting during the spring in 
Arctic regions, and an extension of this plant on our mountain- 
tops may possibly have acted as an inducement to the birds to 
prolong their stay in these latitudes. 
Local name in Caitlmess — " Snoiofowl" " Snavjful." 
A very abundant winter visitant, great quantities being 
killed by the inhabitants for food ; said to be much scarcer 
than formerly, and this fact Mr. Osborne observed for himself 
independently of the old native statements. Mr. Osborne 
observed the snow-bunting as early as September 19th, 
1860,'^ but their usual time of arrival is between the middle 
and end of October (0. MSS.) ; their early arrival in that 
year is interesting. (See under Brambling.) 
Section 4. OSCINES SCUTELLIPLANTAEES. 
Family ALAUDID-ffi. 
114. Galerita cristata (i.). Crested Lark. 
1T5. Alauda arvensis, i. Skylark. 
Resident and abundant ; breeding commonly along the coast- 
line and the low meadows in the valleys, more sparingly on 
the hills through the eastern and central districts, retiring 
from these latter places coastwards as winter approaches. 
Abundant on the inland moors above Oykel Bridge and 
around Loch Clashmore. Generally common around Altna- 
^ 1S60-61 was an uuusually severe winter all over Scotland. The custom of 
killing them systematically for food does not hold general over Scotland, but we 
have found it carried on extensively also in certain high districts of the faunal 
area of " Moray," of which we may have more to say on another occasion. 
