l^jQ SINGIXG BIRDS — OSCIXES. 



They are very almiulaiit in Greenland, breeding there as well as on the 

 islands alon" the Arctic Coast of North America. 



Plectrophanes Lapponicus, Selby. 



THE LAPLAND LONGSPUR. 



Frinr/illa Lnpjmnca, LiNN.r.i'S, Fauna Succica, 1701. — Plertroplinnes Ijippoitica, " SEhnY," 

 AuDunox, Birds Amcv. IV. ."JO ; jil. ITii. — Baird, Birds X. Aincr. 433. 



Sp. Cu.vit. First quill Innrrost. Lcjrs black. IIc:nl all round black, tbis extending as 

 a semicircular patclx to the upper part of breast ; sides of lower neck and under parts 

 ivhite, with black streaks on the sides, and spots on the side of the breast. A -short, 

 brownish-white streak back of the eve. ■ A broad t'bestnut collar on the back of the neck. 



Rest of upper parts brownish-yellow, streaked with dark brown. Outer tail feathers 

 white, e-xcept on the basal 'portion of llie inner web. Length, about G.25 ; wing, 3 90 ; 

 tail, 2.80. 



Iliih. Northern America, coming soutlnvavd into the United States in winter. Not 

 found much west of the Jlissouri. 



This species is very seldom seen in Ml spring plumage in the United 

 States. In perfect dress, the hlack of the throat prolialily extends farther 

 down over the breast. In winter the black is mr)re or less concealed by 

 whitish tips to the feathers beneath, and by yello'wish-ljrown on the crown. 

 Some fall specimens, apparently females, show no lilack whatever on the 

 throat, which, witli the nnder parts generally, are dnll white, with a short 

 black streak on each side of the throat. 



The Lapland longspur is an extremely abundant species in the far North, 

 reaching from one ocean to another, and in winter entering the eastern por- 

 tions of the United States in large flocks. It has not yet been recorded as 

 found in California, but probably occurs there, at least as a straggler. It 

 breeds in immense numbers on the Arctic Coast of North America, usually 



