Class II. REED BUNTING. 441 



mouth commences a white ring, which encircles 

 the head. At the approach of winter the head 

 changes to hoary, but on the return of spring 

 resumes its pristine jettyness. The whole under 

 side of the body is white. The back, coverts 

 of the wings, and the scapular feathers are 

 black, deeply bordered with red ; the two mid- 

 dle feathers of the tail are of the same colors ; 

 the three next black; the exterior web, and 

 part of the interior of the outmost feather is 

 white. The head of the female is rust-colored, 

 spotted with black; it wants the white ring 

 round the neck: but in most other respects 

 resembles the male. 



