112 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



and tail, contrasting strongly with the yellow body, easily dis- 

 tinguish it from the Yellow Warbler, which is wholly yellow. 

 It is an abundant annual resident. In winter the yellow of the 

 male has disappeared. Males, females and young can scarcely 

 be distinguished in their grayish brown plumage as they feed 

 by half dozens on sunflower or other weed seeds. They believe 

 in long courtships and do not nest until late June or early July. 



530. Arkansas Goldfinch (Astragalinus psaltria psaltria.) 



Probably rare in our State but it has been found nesting 

 in Sanborn County. It is much shorter than the preceding; has 

 the black cap, wings and tail, and yellow belly, but is wholly 

 greenish gray on back and cheeks. It may easily be distin- 

 guished from the preceding by its smaller size. 



533. Pine Siskin: Pine Finch (Spinus pinus.) 



Has the appearance of a small Sparrow. Above brownish 

 black, feathers edged with gray; below, lighter; outer tail and 

 wing feathers edged with yellow; tail forked; bill sharp. A 

 winter resident in South Dakota. 



534. Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis.) 



Frequently in large flocks, and exceedingly beautiful in 

 their soft, white winter plumage. Named from the fact that as 

 they circle and alight on the northern prairies they are thought 

 to resemble whirling and falling snow. The Snow Bunting is 

 one of the Longspurs, possessing the long hind-toe nail. Feeds 

 on weed seeds ; nests in the Arctic regions. 



536. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus.) 



We see these birds only in winter, when they come to us 

 from their snow covered northern home on the wings of a storm. 

 In their winter plumage the unpracticed observer would take 

 them for Sparrows, but in summer the males are beautifully 

 marked. The cap, cheeks, throat and upper breast are black. 

 The long hind-toe nail will help to identify them 



537. Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus.) 



This is also a migrant and Sparrow-like in coloration, ex- 

 cept that the under parts are buff. 



