54 
LAPLAND LONGSPUR. 
of the numerous bands which descend in winter to comparatively 
warm latitudes, show themselves almost every year in the higher, 
unsettled parts of Maine, Michigan, and the North-Western 
territory. Even larger flocks are known not unfrequently to 
enter the territory of the Union; where, contrary to what is 
generally supposed, they are observed to alight on trees, as well 
as on the ground, notwithstanding their long and straight hind 
nail. We think it highly probable that some individuals, 
especially in their youth, visit in cold winters the mountainous 
districts of the Middle states; as they are well known in Europe 
to wander or stray to the more temperate climates of Germany, 
France, England, and especially Switzerland; in all which coun¬ 
tries, however, the old birds are never seen. It is not extraordinary 
that they should never have been observed in the Atlantic states, 
as they are no where found in maritime countries. 
No figure of the adult male in perfect plumage, has before 
now, we believe, been given; and no representation at all is to be 
met with in the more generally accessible books, or collections of 
plates. Mr. Selby has lately published a figure of the young in the 
Linnean Transactions, and it will also, we presume, appear in his 
splendid work, which yields to none but Naumann’s, Wolf’s, and 
Wilson’s, in point of accuracy and character. That recorded by 
him appears to be the first instance of an individual having been 
found in Britain. The species is common in the hilly districts of 
eastern Europe, but is chiefly confined within the Polar circle, 
though found abundantly in all the northern mountainous districts 
of Europe and Asia, particularly Siberia and Lapland. It is 
sometimes known to descend in autumn and winter, and, though 
very rarely, in spring, either singly and astray, or in immense 
clouds, into the north and middle of Germany. Great numbers 
were seen in the neighbourhood of Frankfort on the Main, in the 
middle of November, 1821 . In France they are restricted to the 
