BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 187 



beetles, plant-lice, different species of flies and small grasshoppers; 

 also small larvae. 



533. Spinus pinus (WiLS.). 



Pine Siskin ; Pine Finch. 



(Plate SI. Fig. 2. Male.) 



Bill very acute ; bill, feet and iris brown ; tail forked ; above brownish-olive ; be- 

 neath whitish, every feather streaked distinctly with dusky ; concealed bases of tail 

 feathers and quills, together with their inner edges, sulphur-yellow ; outer edges of 

 quills and tail feathers yellowish-green ; two brownish-white bands on the wing ; 

 a bright yellow spot in some specimens back of posterior wing-band. 



Young. Similar to adults but more rusty-brown. Length about 4.80 inches ; ex- 

 tent about 8.75 inches. 



Hob. North America generally, breeding mostly north of the United States and 

 and in the Rocky Mountain region ; in winter south to the Gulf States and Mexico. 



The Pine Finch is a common winter resident in Pennsylvania. It 

 arrives in this region early in October and departs usually in April. 

 These birds are found mostly in flocks of twenty to thirty each ; often- 

 times solitary individuals or pairs are seen in company with Snow- 

 birds and different species of Sparrows. As its specific name would 

 indicate it delights especially to dwell in pine forests. They feed on 

 on small seeds, cones of different pines, small berries, some few in- 

 sects, and also, to a small extent, on buds of maple and other trees. 



GENUS PLECTROPHENAX. STEJNEGER. 



534. Plectrophenax nivalis (LiNN.). 



Snowflake; Snow Banting. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Colors, in full plumage, entirely black and white ; middle of back between scapu- 

 lars, terminal half of primaries and tertiaries, and two innermost tail feathers, black ; 

 elsewhere pure-white ; legs black at all seasons ; bill black. In winter dress white 

 beneath ; the head and rump yellowish-brown, as also some blotches on the side of 

 the breast ; middle of back brown, streaked with black ; white on wings and tail 

 much more restricted ; bill brownish yellow, darker at point ; iris brown. 



This species varies much in color ; and the male in full plumage is seldom, if ever, 

 seen within the limits of the United States. 



Length, about 7 inches ; extent, about V2\ inches ; female smaller. 



Hab. Northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions ; 

 in North America, south in winter into the northern United States, irregularly to 

 Georgia, southern Illinois and Kansas. 



This beautiful bird, readily recognized by its white and rusty plum- 

 age occurs in Pennsylvania only as an occasional winter visitant. 

 When found in this latitude Snow Buntings are usually seen in flocks, 

 which sometimes number a hundred or over. The Snow Bunting 

 during its stay in this region subsists mainly on seeds of various 

 weeds, grasses, etc., which it finds in fields and meadows. 



