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The first snow bunting observed at Pangnirtung fiord in the spring of 
1925 was seen on April 16. At this time the weather was very wintry 
with temperatures descending to 15 degrees below zero. Only occasional 
individuals were seen during April and early May. By May 22 they had 
become somewhat more common, but the main migration did not reach 
Nettilling lake until about May 24. Up to this time the birds were shy and 
solitary. Although specimens were collected daily, no female was secured 
until May 30. 
The song of the male was first heard on May 22, and was a sweet, 
far-reaching melody. From a short distance it suggests the high-pitched, 
vibratory strain of the indigo bunting, with just a slight colouring of the 
plaintive warbling of the purple finch. There is, however, a very wide 
range of effects, both in calls and songs. One of the most characteristic 
melodies is suggested by the following: Swee-e-a-we-a swee-e-sweert. The 
range in the melody is very slight and the whole is delivered on a rather 
high register with little modulation in tone. The intervals, however, 
are sweet and pensive. The song of this species has been described as 
“voluble,” but this seems to be an overstatement as the song lacks the 
volume and richness of some of our sparrows, and is, also, on the whole, 
of shorter duration. The bunting sings both from rocks and during flight, 
the most impassioned and beautiful productions seeming to be under the 
latter circumstances. The following are versions of some of the other 
most commonly heard songs and calls in addition to which there are 
numerous short expressions difficult to describe. One song when heard 
from a short distance resembles souvenir, souvenir, souvenir, and the stress 
and tempo recall the song of the northern yellow-throat, but are very 
sweet and lyrical. Two other songs suggest the following interpretation: 
Now look here, now look here, sir, quit, and Please yourself, please yourself, 
I don’t care-e -e-e. A fine large male established near camp on Takuirbing 
river, Nettilling lake, and in the habit of using the tent ridge for a perch, 
sang the following, day after day, with more than ordinary force : Bring it 
here, bring it here, bring it here. 
The calls are as varied as the songs. The characteristic one is the 
sweet musical whee-er heard in the south. There are also a chick-chick 
closely resembling the call of the redpolls, and a different buzzing and 
scolding note like, but much louder than, the sound of a fly buzzing under 
a newspaper. One note is a high-pitched peep very like the first note 
in the call of the spotted sandpiper; another note is a sweet-toned dear- 
dear like the opening notes to the “piccolo” song of the ruby-crowned 
kinglet. 
Birds are mated by the first week in June and nest building is under 
way by June 10. Completed nests without eggs were found at Nettilling 
lake on June 15. These invariably are placed in crevices in the rocks and 
many are difficult if not impossible to reach. The nest is chiefly composed 
of fragments of dead moss, sparingly intermixed with grass, thinly lined 
with caribou hair. The first eggs were seen on June 16. Sets of from five 
to seven fresh eggs were common between June 20 and July 7. The earliest 
observed young were found on July 4, and by the middle of the month 
numerous young were observed on the wing. Hundreds were in flight and 
in heavy plumage by August. 
The earliest pronounced tendency for autumn flocking was seen on 
August 26 at Amadjuak river. The birds were common everywhere 
