278 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



sprinp; dress there is no trace of nny second color on tlio hack, ex- 

 cept an c'xcccdinfily faint and scarcely ajipreciaMe wash of dull 

 hro\viiiKh over the whole upper i)arts. The markings of the tliird 

 tail-fcatluT vary somewhat in s))ecimens. Sometimes the whole ti)) 

 is mar};ini'd with lirowii ; sometimes the white extends to the end; 

 sometimes both webs are margined with browii ; sometimes the outer 

 is wliite entirely; sometimes the browiiish wash on tlie liack is more 

 distinct." (Ilht. N. Am. B.) 



Some specimens have more or less distinct white wing-bands. 



While the Snowbird is known to every one as a common and 

 familiar winter resident, there are few people but to whom its 

 coming and going is a mystery ; and the question is often asked, 

 "What becomes of the Snowbirds in summer, and where do they 

 breed?" The summer home of this interesting species includes 

 the colder region of the far North from northern Maine and 

 the more eastern British Provinces to Alaska, north to the Arctic 

 "barren grounds," and along the higher poi'tions of the Alleghanies 

 for an undetermined distance soutliward.* 



"About Calais [Maine", and in all the islands of the Bay of 

 Fundy, and throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia," Dr. 

 Brewer "found this by far the most common and familiar species, 

 especially at Pictou, where it abounded in the gardens, in repeated 

 instances coming within tlic (lut-lmildings to build its nests. In a 

 woodshed connected with the dwelling of Mr. Dawson, my attention 

 was called to the nests of several of these l)irds, built within reach 

 of the hand, and in places where the family were passing and re- 

 passing throughout the day » • - Qj, ,jjy j.^^^ fiom Hal- 

 ifax to Pictou, they reminded me of the common Spl:iilci socialis, 

 but were, if anything, more fearless and confiding, coming into the 

 room where the family were at their meals, and only flying awaV 

 when they had secured a crumb of sufficient size." 



In all probability the Snowbird does not breed, even occasionally, 

 anywhere within the limits of the State of Illinois ; nevertheless, 

 individuals may in extremely rare instances be found several weeks 

 after others have dejiarted for the North, these having probably re- 

 ceived some injury which retards, if it does not altogether prevent, 



•On the lii({li minintaiiis uf western Xortli t'iiroli>m. eastern Tennessee, nnil northern 

 (leorcin. nn iiUied raee. or perhaps distinet speeies.ts reshliMit. Thishasreeently (in"The 

 Aiik."v()l. 111. Jan.lKSt;, |i. lOKIheemleseriliedliy Mr. lirewster, as J. Iii/riitali^ eiiivi/iiit- iisi'.i. 



