SNOW-BIRD, 239 



waters of the west branch of the Susquehanna, they breed in 

 great numbers. The nest is fixed in the ground or among the 

 grass, sometimes several being within a small distance of each 

 other. According to the observations of the gentlemen residing 

 at Hudson's bay factory, they arrive there about the beginning 

 of June, stay a week or two, and proceed farther north to breed. 

 They return to that settlement in the autumn on their way to 

 the south. 



In some parts of New England I found the opinion pretty ge- 

 neral, that the Snow-bird in summer is transformed into the 

 small Chipping Sparrow, which we find so common in that sea- 

 son, and which is represented in the same plate. I had con- 

 vinced a gentleman of New York of his mistake in this matter, 

 by taking him to the house of a Mr. Gautier, there, who amuses 

 himself by keeping a great number of native as well as foreign 

 birds. This was in the month of July, and the Snow-bird ap- 

 peared there in the same coloured plumage he usually has. 

 Several individuals of the Chipping Sparrow were also in the 

 same apartment. The evidence was therefore irresistible; but 

 as I had not the same proofs to offer to the eye in New England, 

 I had not the same success. 



There must be something in the temperature of the blood or 

 constitution of this bird which unfits it for residing, during 

 summer, in the lower parts of the United States; as the coun- 

 try here abounds with a great variety of food, of which, during 

 its stay here, it appears to be remarkably fond. Or, perhaps, its 

 habit of associating in such numbers to breed, and building its 

 nest with so little precaution, may, to ensure its safety, require 

 a solitary region, far from the intruding footsteps of man. 



The Snow-bird is six inches long, and nine in extent, the 

 head, neck, and upper parts of the breast, body and wings, are 

 of a deep slate colour; the plumage sometimes skirted with 

 brown, which is the colour of the young birds; the lower parts 

 of the breast, the whole belly and vent, are pure white; the 

 three secondary quill feathers next the body are edged with 

 brown, the primaries with white; the tail is dusky slate, a little 



