snow bunting

a bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, of the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere having white plumage.

Also called snowbird, snowflake.

Origin of snow bunting

First recorded in 1765–75

It made but one mouthful, to be sure, but it was quite as good as a snow-bunting would have been.

Neighbors Unknown |Charles G. D. Roberts
As a snow-bunting flew from twig to twig, Mary caught the flutter of his tiny wings.

A Ticket to Adventure |Roy J. Snell
The snow-bunting is also met with in the northern districts of Asia and America.

Everyday Objects |W. H. Davenport Adams
Once only Clarke shot a snow-bunting, a little bird hardly bigger than a sparrow.

A Man's Woman |Frank Norris

I saw a snow-bunting yesterday, much higher up than the saxifrage; such a jolly, composed little fellow on a field of snow.

Adrienne Toner |Anne Douglas Sedgwick

snow bunting

a bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, of northern and arctic regions, having a white plumage with dark markings on the wings, back, and tail