333 1NSESSORES. 



and about three-fourths of an inch in width ; the two middle feathers 

 have very broad webs on their basal half, (or extending about three 

 inches midway,) but the remainder of the shaft becomes like a 

 plumeless, hair-like process of the same length. The term, 

 - ; widowed," is applied to this group from the sombre hue which 

 prevails in the plumage, "suggesting the idea of widow's 

 weeds." Among the Ploceina, Svvainson places the JAVA 

 SPARROW, Amadina, represented by the Tiaris, or Creslc-t, in 

 South America, in which the thickness of the beak is enormous 

 in proportion to its length, and the middle feathers of the tail are 

 the longest. This bird is frequently kept as a pet in cages, 

 living on seeds. 



II. THE BUNTINGS, sub-family, Emberizidtz, are an interest- 

 ing group of Passerine birds, differing from the Finches proper, 

 chiefly by having a knob on the "palate," or on the under man- 

 dible, the sides of the under mandible bending inwards ; their 

 strong conical beak is well adapted for breaking the seeds which 

 constitute their principal food. 



THE LARK BUNTINGS, Plectrophanes, (Gr. plectron ; phaino, to 

 display,) have moderately long tarsi ; the side toes of equal 

 length ; the hind toe strong, with a lengthened and nearly 

 straight claw. There are several species of these birds, among 

 which is the SNOW LARK BUNTING, P. nivalis, (Lat. snowy,) 

 which appears in the Eastern part of the United States early in 

 November, and in some parts, remaining until March. The 

 summer plumage of the Snow Bunting, is pure white and black, 

 but it is found in all varieties of plumage. In the Highlands of 

 Scotland, it is called the Snow Flake ; in Labrador, New Found- 

 land, and elsewhere, the White Bird; and also the White Snow- 

 Bird, to distinguish it from the COMMON SNOW BIRD, Siruthus, 

 (Gr. strouthos, a sparrow;) hyemalis, (Lat. of winter.) The 

 Arctic Bird, the Lapland Snow-B:rd, or Bunting, P. Lapponicus, 

 breeds in moist meadows, on the shores of the Arctic seas; and 

 in the State of New York, is seen during 1 the extreme cold of 

 winter. Audubon observed these birds in Kentucky and Missouri. 

 They have been seen as far North as 74o Lat. 



THE BUNTINGS, Emberixa, include a large number of species. 

 The BLACK THROATED BUNTING, E. Americana, is abundant in 

 the Middle and Atlantic districts of the Union, but exceedingly 

 so in the vast prairies of the West. Its simple and unmusical 

 notes, are said to resemble those of the CORN BUNTING, of Europe, 

 E. miliaria, (Lat. of millet.) Its length is six inches. The 

 YELLOW WINGED BUNTING, E. passerina, (Lat. sparrow-like,) is 

 a, small bird, only four and a half inches long, which "passes, un- 



