WHITE-CROWNED BUNTING OR FINCH. 479 



yellow is seen on the back and rump, as well as the red below in 

 spots ; the colors are completed only in the 4th year. 



Note. Those who have kept these birds in England are of opinion 

 that they gain their complete and varied plumage sooner even than 

 the third year. 



t t Species of Fringilla, allied to Emberiza. 



WHITE-CROWNED BUNTING or FINCH. 



(Fringilla leucophrys, Temm. Emberiza leucoplirijs, Wilson, iv. 

 p. 49. pi. 31. fig. 4. [male], Phil. Museum, No. 6587.) 



Sp. Charact. — The head white, line surrounding the crown and 

 through each eye black ; beneath pale ash ; vent pale ochreous ; 

 chin white ; wings dusky, with 2 white bands. 



This rare and handsome species is very little known in 

 any part of the United States, a few stragglers only being 

 seen about the beginning of winter, and again in May or 

 earlier, on their way back to their Northern breeding- 

 places, said to be in the country round Hudson's 

 Bay, which they visit from the South in May, and 

 construct their nests in June in the vicinity of Albany 

 fort and Severn river. These are fixed on the ground, or 

 near it, in the shelter of the willow trees which they 

 glean, probably with many other birds, for the insects 

 which frequent them. The eggs, 4 or 5 in number, are 

 said to be of a dusky or chocolate color. Their flio-ht is 

 short and silent, but, probably, near the nest, like our 

 familiar Song-Sparrows, they sing with melody. As 

 they depart from the Bay in September, it is probable 

 that they winter in the Canadian provinces, otherwise, 

 as passengers further south, they would be seen more 

 abundantly in the United States than they are. Indeed, 

 as they approach this part of New England only in small 

 desultory parties in the winter, as in November and 

 December, it is evident, that they only migrate a short 

 distance in quest of food, and return to the North at the 



