, Apl.
8-May 24; Sept. 8-Nov. 29. SE. Minn., uncommon
T.V., and W.V. Oct. 20-Apl. 9.

The Siskin belongs in the group of winter visitants whose coming cannot
be foretold. Some years it is rare or wanting, others abundant, a flock
sometimes, containing several hundred birds. In general habits it
resembles the Goldfinch, feeding on weed seeds and catkins, particularly
of the alder, and on the seeds of conifers. The call-note is a high
_e-eep_; its song like that of the Goldfinch but less musical.

SNOW BUNTING

_Plectrophanes nivalis nivalis. Case 2, Fig. 57_

The prevailing tone of plumage is white,
particularly when the bird is on the wing; the
long, hind toe-nail should be noted. L. 6-3/4.

_Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, winters
irregularly south to Kansas and Virginia.

Washington, W.V., casual, one instance. Ossining,
irregular W.V., Oct. 25-Mch. 22. Cambridge, common
W.V., Nov. 1-Mch. 15; abundant in migrations. N.
Ohio, tolerably common W.V., Dec. 10-Mch. 15. SE.
Minn., common W.V., Oct. 9-Mch. 14.

Snow Buntings live in flocks and love open places, such as Horned Larks
frequent, and are often found with them in fields or along the shore.
Like the Horned Larks they are walkers, not hoppers, and like most
walkers, it is exceptional for them to perch in trees. Hoffman described
their notes as "a high, sweet, though slightly mournful _tee_, or
_tee-oo_, a sweet rolling whistle, and a harsh _bzz_."

LAPLAND LONGSPUR

_Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus_

A sparrow-like bird, with reddish brown wings, a
black or blackish breast, white, streaked
underparts and a brownish back. L. 6-1/4.

_Range._ Nests in Arctic regions, wintering
southward, rarely and irregularly in the Atlantic
States, to New York (casually South Carolina) and
more commonly in the Mississippi Valley to Ohio
and Texas.

Washington, W.V. one instance, Dec. Ossining.
W.V., casual, Cambridge, one record. N. Ohio,
tolerably common W.V., Nov. 15-Apl. 25. Glen
Ellyn, common W.V., Oct. 16-May 16. SE. Minn.,
common W.V.

[Illustration: LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

Adult male in summer. In winter the throat and breast are mixed black
and white.]

A rare visitor from the far North who, if we see it at