The SNOW BUNTING (_Plectrophanes nivalis_), the last member of this
family to which we shall call our readers' attention, is distinguished by
the remarkable thickness of its plumage, and in several other respects
differs from its congeners. The beak resembles that of the Lark Bunting,
but the wings are comparatively long, and the tail short; the spur-like
nail is likewise bent, and not quite so large as in that bird. The male
is from six to seven inches long, its breadth about twelve inches; the
wing four and a quarter inches, and the tail two and a half inches.
Simple as are the colours in the plumage of the young male, its beauty
cannot fail to excite admiration. The middle of the back and tips of the
quills are black, as is the upper portion of the middle tail-feathers,
and a spot upon the carpal portion of the wing; the lower parts of the
tail-feathers are bordered with brownish grey, gradually shading into
black towards their roots, and the whole of the remainder of the plumage
is of a pure white. The iris is light brown, the beak blue at its base
and black at the tip; the feet are of a brownish black colour. The head
of the female is of a blackish shade, that of the young bird grey; but
during the winter the head and neck are brownish grey, marked with a
black crescent-shaped spot; at that season the breast is of a quieter
tint, only the wings and tail retaining colours similar to those they
exhibit in summer. The plumage of the young birds is a dull reddish
brown, the back brown with dark markings; the wings are striped with two
white bands.
[Illustration: THE SNOW BUNTING (_Plectrophanes nivalis_).]
This species is an inhabitant of the same countries as those frequented
by the Lark Bunting, but is often found living in much higher latitudes
than that bird, even breeding so far north as the islands of Spitzbergen
and of Novaja Zemlja. We ourselves have met with it during the summer in
Scandinavia, in the northern part of Lapland, and upon the highest of the
Dovrefeld Mountains. Rocky passes seem to afford it the localities it
prefers when about to breed; the nest, which is formed of moss and grass,
lined with down and feathers, is placed in a cleft of rock, or under a
large stone, the entrance to this secret retreat being made of the very
smallest proportions consistent with the possibility of the parent birds
slipping in and out of the nest. The brood consists of from five to six
eggs, so extremely various in their colour and markings as to render any
attempt at description useless. The young are fed almost exclusively with
insects, upon which their parents also subsist in the breeding season,
seeds of various kinds affording them nourishment during the winter.
The flocks of these beautiful creatures are remarkably numerous; they
pour in dense masses over the country, and drop like snow-flakes
upon such spots as seem to offer them the food of which they are in
search--indeed, so strong is the resemblance of these swarms to a
snow-storm, when thus seen congregated in large numbers, that the birds
are popularly called "Snowflakes" in St. Petersburg, where they are met
with in much greater multitudes than in other parts of Europe. Many tales
are told of these flocks settling down, during their migrations, on the
decks of ships, in order to enjoy a short repose; upon such occasions,
however, they rise again into the air almost immediately, and continue
their long and weary journey, even should they have to encounter the full
violence of a contrary wind.
In its demeanour this species bears quite as close a resemblance to
the Lark as to its more immediate relations. Its movements upon the
ground are easy, its flight rapid and extremely light, the bird rising
high into the air when about to fly to a distance, but keeping near
the ground during its ordinary daily excursions. Naumann tells us that
the evolutions of a flock of Snow Buntings are extremely curious, the
whole party appearing to revolve around each other whilst on the wing,
much after the fashion of waltzers in a ball-room--indeed, under every
circumstance of their active lives they never lose their restless and
unwearying activity, which even great cold or want of food seems unable
to abate or restrain. The fields afford them sustenance during the
winter, and over these they hover, scarcely ceasing from their flight
even when occupied in obtaining food; but should the supply from this
source prove insufficient for the wants of the party, they are, as a
last resource, driven into towns and villages, in order to obtain from
thence provisions not to be found elsewhere. Their song is not unlike
that of the Lark, and their call a shrill piping note, generally uttered
whilst on the wing; when singing, on the contrary, they prefer to perch
upon a stone or bed of snow, as near as possible to the mate for whose
delectation their music is intended.
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