EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 103 



534. Snowflake, Plectrophenax nivalis. Eggs, 4 or 5, 

 ashy white, spotted and blotched with yellowish rufous, usually 

 more thickly on the larger end ; ,60 -f- .90 to .65 -|- .95. The 

 rather suffused yellowish or reddish markings are noticeable 

 characteristics. Nests placed on the ground, composed of 

 grass, lined with feathers. Bi-eeds m the Arctic regions of the 

 Northern Hemisphere, in May. 



534a. PRYniLOF S:yowFLAKE, Plectrophenax nivalis town- 

 sendi. Eggs, similar to those of No. 534. Breeds on the 

 Prybilof and Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and Commander Islands, 

 Kamtschatka. 



535. McKay's Snowflake, Plectrophenax hyperhoreus. 

 Eggs, unknown. Breeds on Hall Island, Behring's Sea, win- 

 ters in Alaska. 



636. Laplaxd Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus. Eggs, 4 

 to 7, oval, grayish or yellowish white, spotted and blotched, 

 frequently so thickly as to conceal the ground color, with lilac, 

 reddish brown, and umber ; the abundant markings are chai- 

 acteristic; .62 -}- .78 to .65 -|- .80. Nests placed on the 

 ground, composed of grass lined with finer material. Breeds in 

 the far north of the Northern Hemisphere, in June and July. 



537. Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus. Eggs, 4 or 5, 

 light clay color, obscurely blotched with lavender, and blotched, 

 lined, and dotted with dark purplish brown ; .62 -j- .78 to 

 .65 -f- .85. Nests placed on the ground, composed of grass 

 and weed stalks, lined with finer material. Breeds in the far 

 northern interior of North America, in May and June. 



538. Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus. 

 Eggs, similar to those of No. 537, and nests and nesting habits 

 are also similar. Breeds in the interior of North America. 



539. McCown's Longspur, Rliyuchophanes mccoxonii. 

 Eggs, 4 or 5, oval, light clay color, marbled, dotted, blotched, 

 and lined with lavender, purplish, and reddish brown ; .58 -\- 

 .78 to .60 -\- .80. Nests placed on the ground, comi)osed of 

 coarse grass stems. Breeds in the interior of North America, 



