FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 317 



passing overhead, the presence of the longspurs is revealed 

 by their quiet but characteristic twitter. Like the snow- 

 flake, the hind claw is greatly developed, and it is this char- 

 acteristic that has given the bird of our illustration its com- 

 mon name. 



Mr. Montague Chamberlain, writing of the longspurs 

 in Greenland, speaks of their song, which he describes as 

 "not very long, but has a fine flute-hke tone, and though 

 agreeable to the ear, is rather melancholy, as all the notes 

 of this bird are." Continuing, he says: " There is no varia- 

 tion in the song, nor is it repeated with great frequency. 

 It is, however, the finest heard in these wilds." 



The nest of this attractive bird is placed on the ground, 

 under tufts of grass or bunches of small willows. It is con- 

 structed with moss and fine grasses and lined with grasses, 

 and frequently, also, with feathers. The female is a close 

 sitter and relies on the color of her plumage and the position 

 of her nest for protection. She will sometimes remain on 

 her nest until nearly trodden on. 



SMITH'S LONGSPUR 



Longspurs have the nail on the hind toe remarkably 

 developed, enabling the birds to scratch in weedy sections 

 for various seeds and insects. Longspurs are found in 

 flocks, except when nesting. They visit the central portions 

 of the United States, often in company with horned larks 

 and snowflakes. They are sociable little fellows, often 

 calling to each other as they move over the snow-covered 

 prairies in immense flocks. 



