24 
SNOW BUNTING. 
The wings extend to the width of one foot and a quarter 
of an inch; lesser wing coverts, dusky, the first row tipped 
with dull white. The primaries have the white band tinged 
with dusky, and of much less extent, being only visible on 
seven of the quills; the secondaries have a large proportion 
of brownish black, and some white. Tail, brownish black, 
the two only of the side feathers being white, and it very 
dull; the next being only in general paler on the inner web; 
under tail coverts, greyish white. 
The young, in the autumn, have the bill dull brownish 
yellow, darker at the point. Head on the sides, light chesnut 
brown, mixed with grey; crown, dark chesnut brown; neck 
on the back, light chesnut brown, mixed with grey, on the 
sides reddish brown; chin and throat, greyish white, tinged 
with reddish brown. The breast has a reddish brown band, 
edged at its sides with brownish black across its fore part; 
below it is greyish white. Back, mottled with brownish black 
and reddish brown, the centre of each feather being of the 
former colour; lesser wing coverts, brownish white, with a 
central dusky streak; primaries, brownish black, edged with 
greyish white, white at the base, which colour extends on 
the inner web. Several of the secondaries are mostly white, 
but all of them have dusky or light brown towards the end: 
the three inner ones are without white, and mottled with 
brownish black and reddish brown. Tail, brownish black, 
edged with brownish grey; the three outer feathers almost 
entirely white, there being only a streak from the tip, including 
part of the outer web. Toes, brownish black. 
This is a most variable species, especially in the male birds, 
the black being more or less intense, the white more or less 
extended, and the reddish brown both more or less extensive, 
and varying also in depth of tint. The bill is sometimes 
pure yellow, but in general tinged with brownish black or 
light brown at the tip, both above and below. Mr. Mac- 
gillivray mentions one which he shot in the year 1835, at 
the ever-famous Preston Pans, in East Lothian, which was 
all over of a cream-colour, the head and upper tail coverts 
tinged with red, the eye light red, and the bill, feet, and 
claws, pale yellow. 
