46 
LAPLAND BUNTING. 
desolate, and none but the most scanty vegetation clothes 
the mountainous and hilly prospect. 
It moves southwards to avoid severe weather. It is said 
to be capable of being easily kept in confinement. 
Its flight, when roused, is described as being quick and 
buoyant, but for the most part it is to be seen on the ground, 
where it runs along, holding its body, as do its relatives the 
Larks, in an inclined position, intent doubtless on the one 
great object of its daily life, the procuring its necessary food. 
If a bird of prey appears while it is on the wing, it alights 
and crouches close to the ground. 
The food of this bird consists of the seeds of various Arctic 
and Alpine plants, especially, it is said, those of the willow 
and the Alpine arbutus, and also of insects. 
The note is described by Meyer as sounding like the syllables 
‘itirr,’ and Twee;’ and it utters it more while on the wing 
than when perched. In addition to these the male is reported 
to have a pleasing song. 
The nest is placed on some small hillock in low marshy 
situations, among moss and stones, and is built of stems of 
grass, neatly and compactly lined with hair or feathers. 
The eggs, usually six or seven in number, are pale yellow,, 
spotted with brown. 
Male; length, six inches and a half, and six and three 
quarters; bill, yellow, blackish at the tip; in the winter 
brownish yellow; from its base a narrow streak of white 
passes downwards, till it nearly joins that mentioned presently, 
which proceeds from above the eye. Iris, dark brown, or, 
according to Meyer, chesnut; a reddish or brownish white 
streak runs backwards from it, and then descends along the 
sides of the neck to the breast, where it joins the white of 
that part; it is palest near the bill. In the second Brighton 
specimen, as described by William Borrer, Esq., Jun., the 
bill was bluish red, excepting the tip, which was black. Fore¬ 
head, crown, and back of the head, rich black, the feathers 
broadly edged with brownish red or greyish white after the 
autumnal moult; those at the base of the bill black; sides of 
the head reddish, spotted with black. Neck in front, black, 
deepest in summer; on the back light reddish brown, mixed 
with greyish in winter; nape, bright chesnut brown. Chin, 
throat, and breast above, black; the feathers strongly edged 
with greyish white in the winter after the autumnal moult; 
below dull white, streaked and spotted with blackish on the 
