FRINGlLLIDjE THE FINCHES. 243 



"Autumnal specimens, of both sexes, differ in having the pattern 

 of coloration obscured by ochraceous borders to the feathers, and a 

 general rusty cast to the plumage." (Hist. N. Am. B.) 



This species occurs throughout the State in winter. During 

 severe weather 1 have seen large flocks at Mount Carmel, flitting 

 in a restless manner over the snow, uttering all the while a peculiar 

 rattling chirrup ; and on other occasions, I have observed indi- 

 viduals mixed in with flocks of Shore Larks. 



The Lapland Longspur, like the Snow Bunting, breeds in the 

 arctic regions of both continents. The male is said to be a sweet 

 songster, often singing while on the wing. 



Calcarius pictus (Swa : ns.) 



SMITH'S LONGSPUR. 



Popular synonyms. Painted Longspur; Smith's Bunting. 

 Emleriza (Plectrophanes) picta Sw. & RICH. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 250, pi. 49. 

 Emlieriza picta AUD. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 91, pi. 40D. 



Plectrophanes pictus BP. 1838. AUD. Synop, 1839, 99; B. Am. iii, 1841, 52, pi. 153. BATED. 

 B. N. Am. 1858, 434; Cat, N. Am. B. 1859, No. 327. COUES, Key, 1872, 13t; Check List, 

 1873, No. 134; B. N. W. 1874, 121.-B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874, 518, pi. 24, figs. 4, 5. 

 Centrophanes pictus CAB. 1851. RIDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 188. 

 Calcarius pictus STEJN. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1882, 33. 

 Emberiza smithii AUD. B. Am. vii, 1844, 337, pi. 487. 







HAB. Great interior plains of North America, breeding from the Yukon, Mackenzie 

 River, and Slave Lake districts for an undetermined distance southward, and migrating 

 in winter to the prairies of the Mississippi Valley and as far south as northwestern Texas 



"Sp. CHAE. Male. Spring. Top and sides of head black. A line from bill over the 

 eye, lores, lower and posterior border of the black cheeks, ears, (encircled by black), and 

 a small patch in the nape, white. Entire under parts, and extending round neck to nape 

 (where it bounds abruptly the black of head), buff or light cinnamon-yellow; the under 

 tail-coverts paler; the inside of wings, white. Feathers of upper surface black, edged 

 with yellowish gray; shoulders or lesser coverts and the greater, black; middle white, 

 forming a conspicuous patch. Quills edged externally with white, this involving the 

 whole outer web of outermost primary. Whole of outer and most of second tail-feathers 

 white. Bill dxisky; lower mandible and legs yellowish. Length, 5.50; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.75; 

 bill, .45. 



"Female. The markings of male faintly indicated, but the black and buff wanting. 

 Head above brown, streaked centrally with paler. A narrow dark line on each side the 

 throat, and brownish streaks across the jugulum, and along sides of body. Traces visible 

 of the white marks of the head. Bill and feet as in the male." 



"This species is quite similar in form to P. lapponicus, although 

 with slenderer bill, and perhaps longer hind claw. While the 

 colors of adult males are very different, the females have a decided 

 resemblance; they may, however, be distinguished in all stages by 



