WHITE-CROWNED BUNTING OR FINCH. 479 
yellow is seen on the back and rump, as well as the red below in 
spots ; the colors are completed only in the 4th year. 
Note. Those who have kept these birds in England are of opinion 
that they gain their complete and varied plumage sooner even than 
the third year. 
t t Species of Fringilla, allied to Emberiza. 
WHITE-CROWNED BUNTING or FINCH. 
( Fringilla leucophrys , Temm. Emberiza leucophrys, Wilson, iv. 
p. 49. pi. 31. fig. 4. [male]. Phil. Museum, No. 6587.) 
Sp. Charact. — The head white, line surrounding the crown and 
through each eye black ; beneath pale ash ; vent pale ochreous ; 
chin white ; wings dusky, with 2 white bands. 
This rare and handsome species is very little known in 
any part of the United States, a few stragglers only being 
seen about the beginning of winter, and again in May or 
earlier, on their way back to their Northern breeding- 
places, said to be in the country round Hudson’s 
Bay, which they visit from the South in May, and 
construct their nests in June in the vicinity of Albany 
fort and Severn river. These are fixed on the ground, or 
near it, in the shelter of the willow trees which they 
glean, probably with many other birds, for the insects 
which frequent them. The eggs, 4 or 5 in number, are 
said to be of a dusky or chocolate color. Their flight is 
short and silent, but, probably, near the nest, like our 
familiar Song-Sparrows, they sing with melody. As 
they depart from the Bay in September, it is probable 
that they winter in the Canadian provinces, otherwise, 
as passengers further south, they would be seen more 
abundantly in the United States than they are. Indeed, 
as they approach this part of New England only in small 
desultory parties in the winter, as in November and 
December, it is evident, that they only migrate a short 
distance in quest of food, and return to the North at the 
