SNOW BUNTING. 
225 
and examined, were filled, not only with tlie seeds of 
this plant, but with a minute kind of shell fish that 
adheres to the leaves. In these kind of aquatic excur- 
sions they are doubtless greatly assisted by the length 
of their hind heel and claws. I also observed a few on 
Table Rock, above the Falls of Niagara, seemingly in 
search of the same kind of food. 
According to the statements of those traders who 
have resided near Hudson’s Bay, the snow huntings are 
the earliest of their migratory birds, appearing there 
about the 11th of April, staying about a month or five 
weeks, and proceeding farther north to breed. They 
return again in September, stay till November, when 
the severe frosts drive them southward.* 
The summer dress of the snow hunting is a tawny 
brown, interspersed with white, covering the head, neck, 
and lower parts ; the back is black, each feather being- 
skirted with brown ; wings and tail, also black, marked 
in the following- manner: — 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 into 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. 
* London Philosophical Transactions , lxii, 403. 
VOL. IT. 
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