BIRDS OF KANSAS. 197 



Lc7tgth. 



Male 11.75 



Female... 11.50 



This species, so well adapted in structure for a wader, prefers 

 the upland prairies and fields for its home, seldom frequenting 

 the water's edge. Its diet is chiefly grasshoppers, beetles and 

 crickets, with occasionally small berries and the tender buds of 

 plants. ■ When fat the flesh is juicy and delicious, and they are 

 therefore much sought after by the pot hunters for the market. 

 These birds should be strictly protected, for they are beneficial 

 and in no way harmful. Their graceful carriage, hovering 

 flight and peculiar prolonged, loud and plaintive whistle attracts 

 attention and makes the well-known and familiar bird a favorite. 

 When hunted much they soon become wild, and when approached 

 run through the grass, with lowering head, in a skulking, dodg- 

 ing manner, and where the grass is short, or the field bare, often 

 drop close to the ground, but take wing the moment they think 

 they are observed, flying swift and high, with an easy stroke 

 of the wings, except during the early breeding season, when 

 they circle and hover about with tremulous wings, scolding in- 

 cessantly. Before alighting the birds usually sail for quite a 

 distance, and the moment they touch the ground raise their 

 wings high and then slowly fold them back; and though not 

 perchers proper, often alight upon a fence or post. 



Their nests are placed on the prairies, in a depression at the 

 foot of a buncli of grass, and often in open, exposed situations; 

 in some cases the bottom of the nest is lined sparingly and 

 loosely with grasses. Eggs four, 1.75x1.27; grayish white to 

 pale buflp, spotted with varying shades of light to dai-k brown, 

 thickest about larger end; in shape, pyriform. 



Genus TRYNGITES Cabanis. 

 "Upper mandible grooved to about the terminal fourth; the lower not quite 

 so far, Culmen and gonys about straight. Mouth deeply cleft more than half 

 way to the eye; the culmen about two-thirds the commissure. Culmen much 

 shorter than the head, and about equal to middle toe without claw. Tarsus 

 about one and one-sixth as long as middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia de- 

 cidedly shorter than middle toe without claw. Toes cleft to the base, with only 

 a very rudimentary web. Upper jaw feathered to the nostrils; the side of the 



