328 
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
In winter, Colonel Goss says, the Smith longspur is often asso¬ 
ciated with other species of longspurs and horned larks. “Their 
favorite resorts,” he states, “are along old trails and abandoned 
wagon roads upon the prairies, where the grass is short.” 
538. Calcarius ornatus (Towns.). Chestnut-collared Long¬ 
spur. 
Tail feathers with bases of all but middle pair white. Adult male in 
summer : throat and sides of head white or huffy, 
„ in striking contrast to black under parts ; black 
sometimes invaded by reddish brown; upper 
. , parts with black crown, markings on sides of 
Fig. 416. Summer male. head an( j shoulder patch ; nape bright rufous ; 
rest of upper parts streaked ; in full plumage shoulder patch deep black 
tipped with white. Adult male in winter: similar, hut black and rufous 
obscured or concealed by brownish or huffy tips 
to feathers. Adult female: buffy brownish, 
streaked with blackish on upper parts and some¬ 
times lightly streaked on breast and belly. 
Fig. 417. Winter male. Plumage softer and colors more blended in 
winter. Young: blackish feathers bordered with whitish and brownish; 
wing coverts tipped with whitish; superciliary indistinct; ear coverts 
streaked ; throat white, flecked with dusky ; rest of under parts dull huff, 
streaked, especially on breast. Male: length (skins) 4.63-5.89, wing 3.20- 
3.55, tail 2.00-2.39, bill .38-.44. Female: length (skins) 4.67-5.64, wing 
2.97-3.33, tail 1.89-2.25, bill .39-.43. 
Bemarks. — The female is an obscure bird, but may he recognized by its 
generic characters and extensively white tail. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones on the 
Plains from Assiniboia to Kansas ; winters from Nebraska south through 
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to Orizaba, Mexico. 
Nest. — On ground, made largely of dried grasses, lined with feathers. 
Eggs: 3 to 6, white, tinged with pink, buff, or green; distinctly spotted 
with blackish or shades of brown. 
Food. — Largely weed seed. 
In a list of the birds of Fort Hays, Kansas, Dr. Allen states that 
the chestnut-collared is abundant over the plains, being “ one of the 
most interesting and characteristic species.” He adds that it has a 
“short, shrill, but very sweet song, which is often uttered on the 
wing.” 
Flocks of several hundred have been seen by Mr. Bailey in south¬ 
ern Arizona in October and November. 
GENUS KHYNCHOPHANES. 
539. Rhynchophanes mccownii ( Lawr .). McCown Longspur. 
Bill stout, conical; nasal plumules nearly concealing nostrils; wings 
nearly five times as long as tarsus ; tail more 
than half hidden by pointed coverts ; tarsus 
longer than middle toe with claw ; hind claw 
about equal to its toe, nearly straight; tail 
F1 S* 418, feathers, except middle pair, white broadly 
