390 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



ground among the grass of the meadows, in crevices of rocks or old 

 buildings ; in the roots of trees along the banks of streams ; under 

 bridges. The nests are constructed of small sticks, twigs, grass, 

 straws, leaves and rootlets, the lining being of wool and hair. The 

 eggs are four, five, six, or even seven in number. A set of six eggs in 

 my cabinet, taken May 10, 1880, in Staffordshire, England, have a 

 grayish-white ground-color, and are speckled all over the surface with 

 minute ash-gray specks. Several single specimens have markings 

 that are of a decided dark brown color. The set of six measure: 

 .77X.5S, .79*. 56, -76x.55, -79 x -59> -78*. 56, -77 x -57- The average 

 size is .75X.55- 



696. Budytes fiavus leucostriatus. (HOM.) [70.] 



Siberian Yellow Wagtail. 



Hab. Alaska, north of the Peninsula; Eastern Siberia and Kamtschatka, wintering in Eastern China. 



This Wagtail occurs abundantly in Alaska. Dr. Stejneger states 

 that B. leucostriatus is a common breeding bird in the environs of 

 Petropaulski, Kamtschatka, being found during the months of June 

 and July everywhere on the low marshy grounds surrounding the 

 lakes, fresh-water ponds and brackish lagoons of the vicinity. On 

 Behring Island single individuals were seen until June 10. The nest 

 of this bird is placed on the ground and usually concealed by a tussock 

 of grass, projecting stone, etc. 



The eggs are dull white, yellowish or brownish- white, profusely 

 covered with fine dots of reddish-gray, dark brown or black ; average 

 size, .76x.55. 



697. Anthus pensilvanicus. (LATH.) [71.] 



American Pipit* 



Hab. Whole of North America, breeding from the high mountains of Colorado and from Labrador 

 northward to the Arctic coast. Winters in the Gulf States, Mexico and Central America. 



Known as the American Titlark, Brown lark, Louisiana Lark and 

 Wagtail. An abundant and a well-known bird everywhere in fields and 

 plains throughout North America. In the United States it is seen 

 chiefly in flocks in fall, winter and spring. Breeds in the mountains 

 of Colorado (above timber line), and from Labrador northward to the 

 Arctic regions. The nest is placed on the ground, and is large and 

 bulky, made of coarse, dry grasses and moss loosely put together. 



From four to six dark chocolate-colored eggs are laid, the surface 

 of which is marked or overlaid with numerous specks and streaks of 

 grayish-brown. A set of five eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken 

 July 3, 1888, on Mount Audubon, Snowy Range, Rocky Mountains, 

 Colorado, at an elevation of nooo feet. The nest was well concealed, 

 being at the side of, and partly under a large stone. It was composed 



