Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 293 
ditions as many as four broods are brought forth in a single 
year. 
It is probably a fact that the balance of nature will be ad- 
justed in time by this sparrow at the expense of our more de- 
sirable native forms, though this may be partially compensated 
for by an increase in the smaller predatory birds, but as far as 
the writer has been able to observe no appreciable harm has 
as yet been done—at least in this vicinity. 
Mr. Widmann writes that the zenith of this bird’s abundance 
has been reached in St. Louis several years ago, and is of the 
opinion that the late severe winters and lack of suitable nest- 
ing sites may have caused this standstill or decrease. This con- 
dition has also been noted in Kansas City, though coincident 
with the decrease within the city there has been a most decided 
increase in the surrounding rural districts. 
PLECTROPHENAX NIVALIS NIVALIS (Linn.). Snow Bunting. 
Very rare and irregular winter visitant. 
This wanderer from the north reaches this vicinity only dur- 
ing the most severe winters. On January 29, 1889, a flock of 
several dozen of these beautiful birds was observed at Courtney 
by Bush. There is a specimen in the Tindall collection taken 
near Independence on November 8, 1892. 
CALCARIUS LAPPONICUS LAPPONICUS (Linn.). Lapland Longspur. 
Regular and not uncommon winter resident, sometimes very common. 
Lapland Longspurs are to be looked for on the prairie re- 
gions of the county between the first week in November (Novem- 
ber 5, 1913, earliest) and the middle of March (March 18, 1917, 
latest) . 
Small fiocks are commonly met with between the Country 
Club and the upper Blue Valley, but very seldom visit the Mis- 
sourl Valley. 
During some winters, flocks of hundreds are present, and dur- 
ing migration thousands are heard passing over at night. 
CALCARIUS PICTUS (Swainson). Smith’s Longspur. 
Very rare and irregular winter visitant. 
The one local record for this bird is May 1, 1905, when three 
specimens were taken. It is reported as a common winter so- 
