LAPLAND LONGSPUB. 



536. Calcarius lapponicus. 6% inches. 



Male in summer, with black crown and throat, and 

 chestnut nape; female similar but duller; winter plu- 

 mage, with feathers of head and neck tipped with 

 grayish so as to conceal the bright markings. 



As indicated by its name, this is a northern species, 

 which spends the cold months in northern U. S., trav- 

 eling in flocks and resting and feeding on side hills, 

 often with Snowflakes, or on lower ground with 

 Horned Larks. 



Song. A sweet trill or warble, frequently given 

 while in flight; call, a sharp chip. 



Nest. Of mosses, grasses and feathers placed on the 

 ground in tussocks or on grassy hummocks. In June 

 and July they lay from four to six eggs having a gray- 

 ish ground color, which is nearly obscured by the 

 numerous blotches of brown and lavender (.80 x .60). 



Range. Breeds from Labrador northward and win- 

 ters south to South Carolina and Texas. A sub-species 

 is found In the West. 



