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Remarks (Some plumages this bird bears)

In some plumages this bird bears a general resemblance to certain Sparrows, but differs from them in having the hind toe-nail as long as or longer than the toe.

Range." Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding far north; in North America, south in winter to the northern United States, irregularly to the Middle States, accidentally to South Carolina." Washington, W. V., casual, one instance, Dec. Sing Sing, W. V., casual. Nest, of grasses and moss lined with grasses, on the ground. Eggs, four to six, bluish white, almost obscured by a uniform grayish brown, 82 × 60. ..

In the east Lapland Longspurs are generally found among flocks of Shorelarks or Snowflakes, but on the western plains they occur in great numbers. "High in the air they fly in long, straggling flocks, all singing together; a thousand voices, a tornado of whistling. When in the fields they have a curious habit of squatting just behind some clod, and, as their colors are nearly matched to the soil, they are not easily observed, nor will they move until you are within a few feet; they then run a few feet and squat again...." (Thompson). 537. Calcarius pictus (Swains.). SMITH'S LONGSPUR. Ad. & in summer.-Top and sides of the head black, a line over the eye and the ear-coverts FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. white; back and rump streaked with black and ochraceous-buff'; lesser wingcoverts black, broadly tipped with white; tail fuscous, the two outer feathers mostly white; nape and under parts ochraceous-buff. Ad. q in summer.- Upper parts black, the feathers margined and tipped with pale cream-buff; two outer tail-feathers mostly white; under parts pale cream-buff; breast and sides sometimes lightly streaked with blackish. & in winter. - Similar to in summer, but with the lesser wing-coverts black, tipped with white. L., 6.60; W., 3.75; T., 2.50; B., 42.