SNOW BUNTING. 199 



the three secondaries next the body are bordered with bay, 

 the next with white, and all the rest of the secondaries, as well 

 as their coverts, and shoulder of the wing, pure white; the first 

 six primaries are black from their coverts downwards to their 

 extremities; tail forked, the three exterior feathers, on each 

 side, white, marked on the outer edge, near the tip, with black; 

 the rest nearly all black; tail coverts reddish brown, fading in- 

 to white; bill pale brown; legs and feet black; hind claw long like 

 that of the Lark, though more curved. In winter they become 

 white on the head, neck and whole under side, as well as great 

 part of the wings and rump, the back continues black skirted 

 with brown. Some are even found pure white. Indeed so much 

 does their plumage vary according to age and season, that no 

 two are found at any time alike. 



