SNOW-BIRD. 113 



Sparrow, which we find so common in that season, and which is repre- 

 sented in the same plate. I had convinced a gentleman of New York 

 of his mistake in this matter, by taking him to the house of a Mr. 

 Gautier, there, who amuses himself by keeping a great number of native 

 as well as foreign birds. This was in the month of July, and the Snow- 

 bird appeared there in the same colored plumage he usually has. 

 Several individuals of the Chipping Sparrow were also in the same 

 apartment. The evidence was therefore irresistible ; but as I had not 

 the same proofs to offer to the eye in New England, I had not the same 

 success. 



There must be something in the temperature of the blood or consti- 

 tution of this bird which unfits it for residing, during summer, in the 

 lower parts of the United States ; as the country here abounds with a 

 great variety of food, of which, during its stay here, it appears to be 

 remarkably fond. Or, perhaps, its habit of associating in such numbers 

 to breed, and building its nest with so little precaution, may, to insure 

 its safety, require a solitary region, far from the intruding footsteps of 

 man. 



The Snow-bird is six inches long, and nine in extent, the head, neck, 

 and upper parts of the breast, body and wings, are of a deep slate 

 color ; the plumage sometimes skirted with brown, which is the color 

 of the young birds ; the lower parts of the breast, the whole belly and 

 vent, are pure white ; the three secondary quill feathers next the body 

 are edged with brown, the primaries with white ; the tail is dusky slate, 

 a little^ forked, the tAvo exterior feathers wholly white, which are flirted 

 out as it flies, and appear then very prominent ; the bill and legs are of 

 a reddish flesh color ; the eye bluish black. The female differs from 

 the male in being considerably more brown. In the depth of winter 

 the slate color of the male becomes more deep and much purer, the 

 brown disappearing nearly altogether. 



Vol. II.— 8 



