BIRDS OF KANSAS. 397 



occasions, found them breeding in small flocks, in different parts 

 of the State, 



B. 404. R. 260. C. 319. G, 131, 191. U. 497. 



Habitat. Temperate western North America, from Wiscon- 

 sin, Illinois and Texas to the Pacific coast; accidental in the At- 

 lantic States; south into Mexico and Cuba. 



Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male, in summer: Head, neck and jugnlum yellow, vary- 

 ing from a lemon to a rich orange shade — very rarely to a pinkish saffron hue; 

 primary coverts and lower greater wing coverts white; rest of plumage uniform 

 dull black, the lower portion of the tibia and the feathers immediately surround- 

 ing the anus yellow; lores, eyelids and feathers bordering the base of the bill 

 also black. Adult male, in winter: Similar, but top of the head and nape 

 washed with dusky. Adult female: Brownish dusky, the throat and jugulum 

 dull yellow, the middle of the breast mixed with whitish. Young male, in first 

 icinter: Similar to adult female, but larger and deeper colored. Young, first 

 plumage: General color light Isabella brown, or dull brownish buff, the wings 

 and tail dusky." 



Stretch of 

 Length. 



Male 10.30 



Female... 8.70 



Iris brown; bill bluish black; legs, feet and claws black. 



The above measurements are of a pair in "The Goss Ornitho- 

 logical Collection;" as given bj other writers, thej average a 

 little larger. 



These birds are largely terrestrial in their habits, and during 

 the fall and winter months are rather generally distributed over 

 the prairies and plains, often following and running about with 

 the cattle, in company with the Cowbirds; but their natural 

 home is on or about the marshy, reedy grounds, and, during tlie 

 breeding season, seldom to be met with far away. 



I have met with them in central Mexico as far south as lati- 

 tude 26°, and found them breeding along the Rio Grande, in 

 southern New Mexico; and I am inclined to think they breed in 

 suitable localities throughout their range. 



Their notes are harsh and their attempt at song a laborious, 

 whistling, squeaky, chuckling sound. They are rather omniv- 

 orous in their food habits; hardly anything eatable comes amiss; 

 in the insect line, grasshoppers and beetles are much sought 

 after. 



