FRIXGILLID.E— THE FIXCIIES — rLECTROPHANES. I77 



broader at the base than the upper, and wider than the <i;onys is long. Tarsi consid- 

 erably longer than the nuddle toe; tlie lateral toes nearly ecpial (the inner claw largest), 

 and reaching to the base of the nuddle elaw. The liinder claw very long ; moderately 

 curved and acute ; considerably longer than its toe ; the toe and claw together reaching 

 to the miildle of the middle claw, or beyond its tip. Wings vei'y long and nuich pointed, 

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

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

 as the wings ; nearly even, or slightly eniarginated. 



Tlie species of tliis genus <are inhaliitants of the northern hemisphere, 

 mostly occurring in the higliest latitudes. Two are common to the Old and 

 Xew Worlds ; the others peculiar to America. They all, as far as known, 

 nest on the ground, and are strictly terrestrial in their habits. 



Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer. 



THE SNOW-BUNTING. 



Emheriza niralis, L1KN.EUS, Syst. Nat. 1766, 308. — Pkclrophaiies nivalis, " Meyee," Audu- 

 bon, Birds Araer. III. 1841, 55 ; pi. 155. — Baikd, Birds N. Anier. 432. 



Sp. Cii.Mt. Colors, in full plumage, entirely blaik and wdufe. Middle of back be- 

 tween scapulars, terminal half of primaries, and tertiaries, and two innermost tail feathers, 

 black ; elsewhere jmre white. Legs black at all seasons. In winter dress white beneath ; 



the head and rump yellnwish-brown, as also some lilotclies on the side of the breast ; mid- 

 dle of back broirn, streaked with black ; white on wings and tail much more restricted. 

 Length about G.75 ; wing, 4.35 ; tail, 3.05 ; first quill longest. 



Ilab. Northern America, from Atlantic to Pacific ; south into the United States in 

 winter. 



This Species inhaliits the northern parts of both hemispheres, nesting 

 A\-ithin tlie Arctic Circle, and going southwards in winter, usually in large 

 flocks. lu company witli the skylark {Ercviopliila cornuta) they form a 

 conspicuous feature of the winter landscapes in many parts of the United 

 States, especially near the coast, frequenting roadsides and open fields. 



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