(Baird, 1858), and the rest coming under Centrophanes (Kaup). The characters upon which these are based are very trivial, being mainly the varying degree of size of the bill and length of the hind claw. In this latter respect there is too much individual variation in the same species to admit of this being available as a specific, much less as a subgeneric character, while the size of the bill is not of more than specific importance.
Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer.
SNOW-BUNTING.
Emberiza nivalis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 308 (not Fringilla nivalis, L.).—Forster, Phila. Trans. LXII, 1772, 403.—Wilson, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 86, pl. xxi.—Aud. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 575; V, 1839, 496, pl. 189. Emberiza (Plectrophanes) nivalis, Bon. Obs. 1825, No. 89. “Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer.”—Bon. List, 1838.—Aud. Syn. 1839, 103.—Ib. Birds Am. III, 1841, 55, pl. 155.—Max. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 345 (Spitzbergen).—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 432.—Newton, Ibis, 1865, 502.—Dall & Bannister, Tr. Ch. A. S. I, 1869, 282 (Alaska).—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 177.—Samuels, 296. Emberiza montana, Gmelin, Syst. I, 1788, 867, 25. Emberiza mustelina, Gmelin, Syst. I, 1788, 867, 7. Emberiza glacialis, Latham, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 398.
Sp. Char. Male. Colors, in spring plumage, entirely black and white. Middle of back between scapulars, terminal half of primaries and tertiaries, and two innermost tail-feathers, black; elsewhere pure white. Legs black at all seasons. In winter dress white beneath; the head and rump yellowish-brown, as also some blotches on the side of the breast; middle of back brown, streaked with black; white on wings and tail much more restricted. Length about 6.75; wings, 4.35; tail, 3.05; first quill longest. Female. Spring, continuous white beneath only; above entirely streaked, the feathers having blackish centres and whitish edges; the black streaks predominate on the back and crown. Young. Light gray above with obsolete dusky streaks on the back; throat and jugulum paler gray, the latter with obsolete streaks; rest of lower parts dull white. Wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail-feathers broadly edged with light ochraceous-brown.
Hab. Northern America from Atlantic to Pacific; south into the United States in winter, as far as Georgia and Southern Illinois.
Specimens from North America and Europe appear to be quite identical; there is, however, a great amount of variation among individuals.
Habits. The common Snow Bunting is found throughout northern North America to the shores of the Arctic Sea, and in the winter months extends its migrations into the United States as indicated above.
Mr. Dall states that in Alaska, when observed, they went altogether in flocks. It was at times excessively common, and at others entirely absent. It builds its nests on the hillside, generally on the ground, under the lee of a stone. He obtained a large number of these birds at Nulato, in the winter of 1867-68. It was much more common there than the P. lapponicus, which was only seen in the spring, while this bird was there all the year round. Mr. Dall also met with these birds on St. George’s Island, and Mr. Bischoff obtained them at Sitka. According to Mr. Bannister’s observations it was altogether less abundant than the P. lapponicus, and seemed to prefer rather
different situations. On St. Michael’s Island he never saw one of this species far from the shore, while the other species was abundant everywhere in the interior of the island. During the summer he never saw more than one or two of these birds at once, nor anywhere except on rocky points or on small rocky islands near the shore. These localities they seemed to share with the Ravens and Puffins. In the autumn they are more gregarious, but still seem to prefer the vicinity of water. Mr. Bannister also observed this bird at Unalaklik, where it is common.