plectrophanes

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of Fringillidæ, so named from the long straightened hind claw or plectrum characteristic of some of its members; the snow-buntings or longspurs. The bill is small and conic, with a nasal ruff or tuft of plumules; the wings are long and pointed; and the tail is short, and square or emarginate. The common snow-bunting is usually called P. nivalis, but has been placed in a different genus (Plectrophenax). The Lapland longspur is P. lapponicus. The collared and the painted longspurs are P. ornatus and P. pictus. Excluding the snow-bunting, the members of this genus are now usually called Centrophanes or Calcarius. See cut under Centrophanes.