Chestnut-collared Longspur

Status Five records. The first was a male on Bon Portage Island on 29 May-l June 1962, reported in detail by Evelyn Richardson. Another male was collected on Cape Sable on 28 May 1964 by Norman Cunningham for the National Museum of Canada. A third male was closely observed on Cape Sable by Sidney Smith on 21 April 1967 and, on 8 May 1967, another was found at Port La Tour, Shelburne County, as reported to Harrison F. Lewis by Mrs. Gerald Smith. The most recent record was a female plumaged bird observed and heard giving a distinctive two-syllabled call by Howard Ross on Sable Island on 9 June 1977.

Remarks Males of this species are unmistakable, with their black breasts, yellow faces and chestnut collars. Females and immatures have distinctive tail patterns and call notes, among other features. It is striking that all of Atlantic Canada's records for this bird, which nests on the central prairies and winters in the southwestern United States, are for spring.