178 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



THE WHITE SNOW-BIRD. 



Plectrophanes nivalis. 



plate lxix. fig. 158. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Emberiza nivalis. Linnxus, Syst. Nat. 12 ed. p. 308. 



Snow Bunting. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 355. Wilson, Am. Om. Vol. 3, p. 36, pi. 21, fig. 2 (female), 



E. (Plectrophanes) id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 103. Rich. & Swainson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 246. 



Audubon, folio, pi. 189. Nuttall, Man. Om. Vol. 1, p. 458. Selby, Am. Orn. 



Brewer's ed. p. 212. Kiktland, Zool. Ohio, p. Ib3. Peabouy, Zool. Mass. p. 318. 

 P. nivalis. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 3, p. 55, pi. 155. 

 P. id., Snow Lark Bunting. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 97. 



Characteristics. Rufous brown above, striate with black. Quills white at the base ; se- 

 condaries mostly white : three lateral white, tipped with blackish. In 

 full plumage : head, neck and beneath white. Fcn\ale and young, 

 white, tinged with rufous. Length, 1\ inches. 



Description. Such variations in its markings occur, that scarcely any two individuals are 

 alike. In this State, the following is the most usual appearance : Head, neck and beneath 

 soiled white, tinged with brownish red. Summit of the head rufous, becoming lighter on 

 the neck. A rufous dash under the eyes, often descending down along the neck, and forming 

 an imperfect rufous collar around the breast. Above greyish brown, obsoletely streaked with 

 black. All the tail-feathers edged with white. Outer vanes of the quills, and their tips, 

 edged with white. Inner tail-feathers black. Female and young, dull grey beneath, and 

 light rufous on the head and rump. 



Length, 7-0-7" 5. Alar spread, 13-0-13-5. 



This bird, which is usually known in this State under the name of White Snow-bird, to 

 distinguish it from the Struthus hyemalis or Common 'Snow-bird, is, like that and the pre- 

 ceding species, most abundant in the northern regions of the two continents. It usually 

 appears in the Atlantic district of this State after a severe snow-storm, and has been observed 

 in Maryland and Kentucky. It has been known to breed in Massachusetts and Maine, and 

 probably will be found to do the like in the high mountainous regions of our northern district. 

 The nest is placed on the ground, and contains 4-5 dull white eggs with numerous reddish 

 brown spots, becoming confluent about the larger end. Feeds on grass-seeds, insects and 

 minute shells. In some parts of the country, it is called White-bird. 



