146 The Ottawa Naturalist. [February 



reared. We find that the average number of broods is three, though at 

 times there may be a fourth. In their domestic duties both birds take 

 an active part, the male not only relieving the female upon the nest but 

 also taking his share in feeding the young. In fact they are an excel- 

 lent example of true domestic harmony, in as much as each contribute 

 an equal share to the family welfare. 



In 1916, a nest of this species was located in a garden among 

 some old dead flowers. It suffered somewhat by being raked over 

 before it was noticed, but was replaced with sufficient care to satisfy 

 the old birds. They were an unusually tame couple and were thus able 

 to be watched without disturbing their daily habits. It was seen that 

 both were equally energetic in tending the young though the male was 

 less frequently found upon the nest, while during the early morning 

 and again in the evening, his musical tendencies overcame his usual 

 domestic thoughts, or perhaps, as seems more likely, the young 

 required less attention at such times, so he devoted his energy to a 

 serenade for the benefit of his domestic little mate. Food for the 

 young was secured close at hand and consisted of a mixed up mass of , 

 insect matter, as a rule unidentifiable. From this mass, however, 

 numerous cutworms were seen hanging, from time to time, the identity 

 of which was unmistakable. The female was particularly fearless and 

 would continue her domestic duties while we watched from a few feet 

 away. Thus we often saw her feed the young and likewise fit her 

 body snugly over them afterwards. On June 27 one young bird had 

 left the nest and was followed next day by the remaining one. Neither 

 could fly at this time and both were frequently seen close at hand 

 afterwards. 



These birds remain for a considerable time around their homes 

 after nesting and seldom, if ever, gather into flocks or congregate upon 

 the ploughed fields as do other kinds of horned larks. 



Oberholser's Horned Lark. 



We are less familiar with this bird than with the last and owing 

 to the difficulty of determination, it was longer before we were able to 

 distinguish it in the field. As was to be expected, birds so closely 

 related as the horned larks have much in common concerning habits 

 of living, though it is astonishing how many differences there are 

 when they are studied closely. We shall not attempt to present the 

 habits of this race in detail, as in a general way they resemble those of 

 praticola, but will content ourselves by comparing the chief points of 

 difference. 



To begin with, enthymia is practically a month later in arriving 

 from the south. Then, instead of arriving as odd individuals, as does 

 the Prairie Horned Lark, it comes in flocks varying from seven to 

 twenty or more, and at the height of the migration in bunches of 



