^o 



6 COXNECTICUT GEOL. AXD NAT. HIST. SURVEY. [Bull. 



the bill. One in the collection of Porter has many of the feathers 

 of the head and upper parts edged with rose-red. 



In 1849, by request of the late Dr. Jno. C. Comstock, many 

 of whose notes are published in this report, the name of the Rose- 

 breasted Grosbeak was added to the list of song birds protected 

 by the first act of the Connecticut legislature, and probably the 

 first legislation in New England, for such a purpose. At that 

 time the bird was scarcely known, but now it appears to be in- 

 creasing in numbers throughout the state (J. H. S.). 



Passerina cyanea (Linnaeus) , Indigo Bunting. 



A common summer resident from May until August. 



Earliest record. New Haven, j\Iay 8, 1897, 1908, May 3, 

 1888 (Webb) ; Portland, May 6, 1887, 1894; Litchfield, May 3, 

 1905 (E. S. W.). 



Latest record. New Haven, Oct. 2, 1895 ; Portland, Oct. 16, 



1893. 



Nest. In a shrub or bush, rarely in the woods ; 2-3 feet from 

 the ground. 



Eggs. 3-5 ; early in June. 



Nesting dates. Earliest record, May 30, 1900, three eggs 

 (J. C. A. M.). Latest record. Aug. 18, 1906, eggs, hatched 

 Aug. 29 (A. A. S.). 



Spotted eggs. Rare. Set of four, June 5, 1890, New Haven 

 (Hedges, in coll. of L. B. B.) ; one, June 6, 1883, New Haven 

 (Robbins and L. B. B.). 



A female with the crown, rump, and upper tail feathers blue, 

 and many blue feathers in other parts of the plumage, especially 

 on the throat and breast, and the abdomen white, was collected 

 by H. W. F. near New Haven, ]\Iay 26, 1892. 



Heard singing as late as July 2^ (1903) and July 22 (1904) 

 (L. B. B.). 



Spiza americana (Gmelin). Dickcissel. 



Formerly an abundant summer resident, but none have been 

 taken in Connecticut in many years. 



Up to 1840 this species was very abundant near New Haven ; 

 in fact it was almost as common as the English Sparrow is to-day, 

 according to Professor Silliman of Yale, who thus reported it to 

 Professor Verrill. A male and female of this species are in the 



