THE SNOW BUNTINC. 
ill 
Til rough or wet weatlier they are not often seen upon the 
wing ; hut, unlike many other birds, they do not usually seek 
enclosed feeding grounds for the sake of shelter from the wind. 
ITuring the heaviest gales I have watched them closely, and 
have then seen that the stubble afforded them quite as much 
protection as they cared for. At such times they are unwilling 
to rise, and often permit a very near approach; but when in the 
spring a severe storm drives them from the open grounds, they 
gather in very large Hocks and assemble in the fields, the walls 
of which afford them protection and the means of feeding in 
peace. In ]\Iarch 1871 I met with the largest assemblage of 
Snow Buntings I have CA^er seen, all under shelter of a four- 
foot Avail, and certainly coA’-ering some acres of ground. A 
A'ery heaAy sleety gale AAns bloAving from the north-east, and, 
Avishing to obtain even a partial shelter, I too kept to the lee 
side, Avalking through the midst of the broad line of birds. So 
unwilling Avere they to rise, that I could have reached many of 
them Avith my stick ; and as I adA^anced the sight became per- 
fectly confusing, the birds fluttering up as I approached, and 
immediately settling in front, behind, and upon either side, 
never A^enturing to rise as high as the top of the Avail. It 
seemed as though I Avere literally Avading through them, the 
continual shimmering of AA^hite producing an effect altogether 
indescribable. In fine Aveather they are more disposed for 
flight, and then it is that their Avell-known notes may be heard 
far overhead, almost uninterruptedly from sunrise until after 
sunset. I liaA^e only upon one occasion heard them late at 
night, and that Avas at about eleven o’clock one clear starlight 
niglit in autumn. EA^en in open Aveather, one or tAvo may 
occasionally be seen upon a stack of oats ; but it is only during 
heavy snoAv or severe frost that they visit the farm-yard in any 
great numbers. When engaged among the stublde tliey are 
not easily perceived, often affording the first indication of their 
presence by rising suddenly Avithin a feAV paces of the intruder. 
When thus disturbed, a feAv nearly ahvays remain upon the 
ground ; but the main body, rising in a compact mass, fly off 
