1604 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 23 7 paut 3 



Density. — A number of authors have remarked on the generally- 

 high density of this species throughout the tundra regions. Manning 

 et al. (1956) believed it to be by far the commonest and most generally 

 distributed bird on Banks Island, and estimated the total adult 

 summer population at 700,000. Likewise, Manning and Mac- 

 pherson (1961) believed that the Lapland longspur was the commonest 

 summer resident on Prince of Wales Island and from density figures 

 of up to 56.8 birds per square mile estimated 250,000 present when 

 nesting began. Sutton (1932) states that it was the most abundant 

 bird on Southampton Island and comments on its general distri- 

 bution. Drury (1961) refers to the longspur as the most numerous 

 nesting species near his camp on Bylot Island (60 pairs in 7 square 

 miles), and Wynne-Edwards (1952) states that at the head of 

 Clyde Inlet on Baffin Island longspurs were the commonest birds, and 

 in the most suitable habitats reached a density of one pair in 5 to 15 

 acres. 



Much greater densities were recorded in Alaska, though this may 

 have been due to the careful and intensive census methods used. The 

 total population figures of young and adults can be exceedingly great 

 in late summer, as mentioned in the account of the Alaskan subspecies. 



Plumages. — As mentioned in the account of the Alaska longspur, 

 the two races are only doubtfully distinguishable. The eastern race 

 is somewhat darker and, according to Manning et al. (1956) the 

 eastern lapponicus have wider and more deeply black centers in the 

 dorsal feathers, and narrower more tawny and less buckthorn brown, 

 but not markedly darker margins. The sequence of molts and 

 plumages is the same in both races. 



Winter.— In Minnesota, T. S. Roberts (1932) writes: 



During October and November immense flocks are passing southward across 

 the state to winter in the southern Mississippi Valley beyond the winter range of 

 the Snow Bunting. A very considerable number, however, remain in the southern 

 half of Minnesota where they pass the winter months in the prairie and semi- 

 prairie regions, generally in great flocks, often mingling with the Snowflakes or 

 feeding about the corn-and-weed-fields with the hardy Horned Larks. * * * 

 The northward movement begins in Minnesota in late February and early March, 

 and during the latter month and April countless myriads of these birds are travers- 

 ing the state toward their Arctic homes, going in great, endless flocks, generally 

 by night but often by day as well, passing steadily onward, sometimes high in 

 the air, sometimes low over the earth, an incessant, twittering, hurrying stream 

 of birds. 



On February 25, 1878, Roberts "Found a flock in an old corn-field 

 where, rising from the ground, they circled around and aroimd for 

 some time, occasionally crossing and recrossing the circle, parting 

 above and around me and streaming by within a few feet. At length, 

 they settled on a near-by fence and showed very little fear at my 

 presence." Again, he says on March 16, 1880: 



