240 
EMBERIZIDiE. 
Since the preceding was written, snow-buntings have become 
greatly more numerous in the vicinity of Belfast. By the “ new 
cut” in the channel of the river adjacent to the quays, an extensive 
bank is left insulated, and being covered with a profuse growth of 
A triplex patula and Chrysanthemum leucanthemum , these birds 
have, notwithstanding its proximity to a large town, come in great 
numbers to it at the beginning of every winter for a few years 
past. They remain there during the whole of that season, in all 
kinds of weather, and until early in spring, when they take their 
departure north-wards. In the winter of 1843-44, the plants 
just named covered this tract — called Dargaids Island — and these 
birds were remarkably abundant, about a thousand appearing in 
one flock. The island having since been partially levelled and 
sown with grass-seed, they have visited it in much smaller num- 
bers, but from 200 to 300 have been seen there in a flock in the 
winter of 1845-46. In consequence of this “ preserve,” the 
species has been greatly more common than formerly about the 
shores of Belfast bay, where the short grassy margin is their 
favourite haunt. They are naturally easy of approach, allow 
one to come within a few yards of them, but become wild after 
continued persecution. Some adult males are always to be seen 
in the earliest large flocks that appear. 
Immense numbers came to the main-land opposite Bough Island, 
Strangford, at the beginning of winter 1844-45, and throughout 
a range of several miles, committed great devastation by picking 
up the sown wheat, which they got at, along the edges of the 
ridges. The farmers were literally up in arms against them, and 
killed many, but the birds eventually became so wild, as not to 
admit of approach. They had never been seen there before, and 
were looked upon as some foreign species, that came to destroy 
the wheat crop, by picking the seed from the ground. They re- 
mained from early in November, until the beginning of March. 
About the shores of Dublin bay, these birds are often met 
with during winter, and sometimes in great numbers. The snow- 
bunting, by thus frequenting the mountain-top and the sea-side, 
reminds us of certain plants which are only found in either locality. 
