_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_."