51U 



NUimi AilKKlCAN BIKUS. 



Genus PLECTROPHANES, Meyer. 



PUctroplumes, Mf.yer, " Taschenbuch, 1810." Agassiz: (Tyiie, Ejiibcrka nivalis.) 

 Cciiirophancs, Kaup, " Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829." Aga.s.siz. (Type, E. lap- 

 l^onica.) 



Gen. Char. Bill variable ; conical ; the lower mandible higher than the upper ; the 

 sides of both mandibles (in the t3'pical species) guarded by a closely applied brush of 

 stiffened bristly feathers directed forwards, and in the upper jaw concealing the nostrils; 



Phrtropltanfs nivalis. 



the outlines of the bill nearly straight, or slightly curved ; the lower jaw considerably 

 broader at the base than the upper, and wider than the gonys is long. Tarsi considerably 

 longer than the middle toe; the lateral toes nearly equal (the inner claw largest), and 

 reaching to the base of the middle claw. The hinder claw very long, moderately curved 

 and acute, considerably longer than its toe ; the toe and claw together reaching to the middle 

 of the middle claw, or beyond its tip. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching 

 nearly to the end of the tail ; the first quill longest; the others rapidly graduated ; the 

 tertiaries a little longer than the secondaries. Tail moderate, about two thirds as long as 

 the wings; nearly even, or slightly emarginated. 



The species of this genus are essentially boreal and cosmopolitan, altliough 



America possesses four species 

 not found, like her two others, 

 in tlie Old World. They are 

 all ground-birds, collecting in 

 large flocks, in autumn and 

 winter, on prairies and plains, 

 some of the species passing far 

 to the southward. There is 

 inucli variation in the color, and 

 in tlie details of structure of 

 bill and feet. In P. nivalis 

 alone is the fringe of bristly 

 feathers along tlie side of tlie bill very distinct. The gonys also is excep- 

 tionally short, being less than lialf the len"tli of the culmen. 



Plertrophanea nivalis 



tlie side of tlie 



