15 



large numbers are sold in the New York markets, in bunches, under 

 the name of "reed-birds." 



Dimensions. Average measurements of twenty-nine specimens: 

 length, 5-10; stretch, 8-83; wing, 2-82; tail, 1-95; culmen, '40; gape, 

 43; tarsus, -54; middle toe, '42; its claw, '21. 



75. Plectrophanes nivalis (Linne). SNOW BUNTING; WHITE 

 SNOWBIRD. An irregular winter visitant. It sometimes arrives early 

 in November, and remains until March. Mr. Thomas TV. Wilson pro- 

 cured specimens on the railroad, at Constitution Island, as early as 

 November 8, 1875. Mr. William Church Osborn saw them near Gar- 

 risons, on November 9, 1878. I have seen flocks on the railroad as 

 late as March 12 (1875). 



Large numbers of these white-clad visitors from Arctic climes oc- 

 casionally appear upon the ice of the frozen Hudson : always in 

 severely cold weather, and very often during snow-storms. During 

 the latter part of the winter of 1874-5, when skating up the river, I 

 found large flocks frequenting the sleigh crossings on the Hudson ; 

 and smaller bands were numerous along the railroad upon the left 

 bank. I encountered the first flock near Fishkill Landing, where they 

 were feeding, on the sleigh track crossing the river. A number of 

 them were brought down by the discharge of both barrels of my piece, 

 and most of those left alighted upon the nearest trees on shore, but a 

 few returned to their wounded companions, standing erect beside 

 them, and uttering their loud call-note, as if entreating them to come 

 away. They allowed me to come very near before they would forsake 

 their unfortunate companions, and only left them when life was ex- 

 tinct, unless sooner driven away. When these had rejoined the flock 

 upon the bank, the entire body proceeded northward. Subsequently, 

 the species was common all along the Hudson. I did not molest them 

 again, but took good care of the wounded ones, and afterward brought 

 them safe home. They seemed starved, and ate greedily. Their 

 wounds healed very quickly, and, in a few days, they were able to fly 

 about. Soon they became very tame, and would come upon a table to 

 be fed. They were released in the dining-room, where they spent 

 most of the time among some house plants, at the windows ; b,ut, 

 from their visits to the table during meals, they became a source of 

 annoyance, and were shut up at those times. Towards spring they 

 became restless, and struggled to get out of their cages, and, on being 

 released, flew to the windows, pecked the glass, and uttered mournful 

 cries. 



Upon the railroad, a few flocks are commonly found spending the 

 winter. These soon become begrimed, almost beyond recognition, 

 by contact with the grease and dirt of the track; but they become 

 very fat, for they are abundantly supplied with food, the grain that 



