9(1 
EMBEmZTDiR. 
X. EMBEBIZIBJE. 
THE SNOAY BUNTING. 
SNAA FOOL {Bnoio fowl) 
As miglit be expected, the Snow Bunting arrives liere earlier 
than on the mainland of Scotland, the first flocks nsually 
appearing about the end of September, although I have a note 
of their arrival as early as the 12th of that month. They 
nsually come with a north or north-easterly wind, but I have 
twice seen tliem arrive with a gale from the south-west, which, 
however, there was reason to believe, had arisen during their 
passage. As will afterwards be shown, a few invariably remain 
throughout the summer, but the enormous flocks which visit 
the islands in autumn remain until winter sets in, or until the 
late autumn frost or snow cuts off the supply of food, where- 
upon the greater bulk gradually moves southwards, leaving- 
only a few small flocks to stay through mid- winter. At the 
end of March, or early in April, large numbers return, not in 
compact flocks, but in straggling multitudes, scattering them- 
selves throughout the length and breadth of the islands, 
gradually adding recruits to their numbers as they proceed 
northwards, yet always leaving many behind, to find their way 
home as best they can. Specimens are always to be obtained 
as late as the end of May, by which time adults are in summer 
plumage, although the young are still undergoing the change. 
I liave not bben able to verify the popular idea, that an 
unusually large arrival indicates a severe winter. It merely 
seems to indicate a deficiency of food in the north, for I have 
always observed that upon these occasions the birds are in 
comparatively poor condition. Immediately after their arrival 
they are rather sliy, frequenting the hills and open places ; 
shortly afterwards, however, on descending to the fields, they 
become much less wild. As a rule, they remain upon the hills 
until the corn has been cleared, but a frost immediately compels 
them to de.scend to the low f wounds. 
o 
