1898.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 83 



able to secure the bird ; but from its actions it was undoubtedly 

 nesting in the neighborhood. This record seems interesting as being 

 the first evidence, to my knowledge, of the occurrence of any species 

 of Grackle in Susquehanna County. 



46. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. 



Not uncommon, both in the woodland and in the open country 

 about houses, where its pretty song may be heard from April to the 

 middle of July. 



47. Passer domesticus. English Sparrow. 



This pest, everywhere rapidly increasing in numbers, and now 

 resident in almost every town and village of any size throughout the 

 county, bids fair to soon drive away all the old feathered songsters 

 from our gardens and orchards. 



48. Spinus tristis. American Goldfinch. 



Abundant everywhere. 



49. Poocaetes gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. « 



The most abundant and generally distributed of the sparrows 

 during the breeding season ; in fact, one of the characteristic birds 

 of the open country. 



50. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. 



Very common and widely distributed in all suitable localities, 

 especially in the northern and eastern portions of the county. 



51. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus. Grasshopper Sparrow. 

 Common in dry uplands. 



52. Spizella socialis. Chipping Sparrow. 

 Abundant. 



53. Spizella pusilla. Field Sparrow. 



Abundant in open fields and overgrown pastures. 



54. Junco hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. 



Formerly common at Elk Mountain, from 2,000 feet up, and gen- 

 erally confined to open fields, but now quite rare. Its occurrence in 

 the rest of the county is limited to two records: First, a single pair 

 shot June 26, 1896, near Dimock, and secondly, another pair 

 engaged in constructing a nest near the same locality, April 24, 

 1897. One would expect to find this species in the elevated plateau 

 land of Ararat township, on the eastern border of the county, a 

 locality well suited to its habits; but on a visit to this region in 



