SNOW BUNTING. 
199 
the three secondaries next the body are bordered with bay, 
the next with white, and all the rest of the secondaries, as well 
as their coverts, and shoulder of the wing, pure white; the first 
six primaries are black from their coverts downwards to their 
extremities; tail forked, the three exterior feathers, on each 
side, white, marked on the outer edge, near the tip, with black; 
the rest nearly all black; tail coverts reddish brown, fading in- 
to white; bill pale brown; legs and feet black; hind claw long like 
that of the Lark, though more curved. In winter they become 
white on the head, neck and whole under side, as well as great 
part of the wings and rump, the back continues black skirted 
with brown. Some are even found pure white. Indeed so much 
does their plumage vary according to age and season, that no 
two are found at any time alike. 
