SNOWFLAKE. 



snow bunting. white snow bird. 



Plectrophenax nivalis. 



Char. In summer, prevailing color white ; middle of back, wings, and 

 tail mixed with black. In autumn the dark color is extended, the black 

 being broadly margined with tawny brown, which gradually becomes white 

 as winter advances. Length about 6^4 inches. 



A^est. On a barren hillside, under shelter of a rock or in a stone heap, 

 sometimes in cavity of a sand-bank ; compactly built of dry grass, plant 

 stems, and moss, lined with feathers and hair. 



E,^£'s. 4-6 ; dull white, with faint tint of blue or green, spotted, chiefly 

 around larger end, with reddish brown and lavender ; 0.90 X 0.65. 



This messenger of cold and stormy weather chiefly in- 

 habits the higher regions of the Arctic circle, whence, as the 

 severity of the winter threatens, they migrate indifferently over 

 Europe, eastern Asia, and the United States. On their way to 

 the South they appear round Hudson Bay in September, and 

 stay till the frosts of November again oblige them to seek out 

 warmer quarters. Early in December they make their descent 



