BIRDS OF KANSAS. 59^) 



discovered, except by accident, such as stumbling on one and 

 scaring off the parent. But at length, a few days afterwards, 

 in finally reviewing a particulary thorough search, a little bird 

 just able to flutter a few feet was seen and caught, and in a few 

 moments the rest of the family, sitting a few feet apart, were 

 also secured — four in ail. They had just left the nest, and yet 

 I could not find it, though a perfectly bare depression of the 

 ground, covered with droppings, just where the birds were, may 

 have been their temporary resting place. My friend, Mr. Allen, 

 was more fortunate on the Yellowstone expedition which he ac- 

 companied the same season, and he obligingly gives me the 

 following account: 



" 'The only nest we found was placed on the ground, and 

 neatly formed of dry, fine grass. It was thinly arched over 

 with the same material, and being built in a tuft of rank grass, 

 was most thoroughly concealed. The bird would seem to be 

 a close sitter, as in this case the female remained on the nest 

 till I actually stepped over it, she brushing against my feet as 

 she went off. The eggs were five in number, rather long and 

 pointed, measuring about .90x.60 inches, of a grayish white 

 color, thickly and minutely flecked with darker, giving them a 

 decidedly purplish tint.' " 



Family TROGLODTYIDJE. Wkens, Thrashers, etc. 



Tarsus longer thau middle toe with claw, or else the bill elongated, not de- 

 pressed, narrower at base than length of gonys; bill not hooked at tip; tail feath- 

 ers normal; nasal feathers erect or inclined backward; bill linear, but often 

 curved, the culmen always more or less so; first primary well developed, extend- 

 ing beyond tips of coverts. (Ridgway.) 



Subfamily MIMING. Thrashers. 



Rictal bristles well developed; inner toe entirely free at base from middle 

 toe; wing 3.50, or more. (Ridgway.) 



Genus MIMUS Boie. 



"Bill not much more than half the length of the head; gently decurved from 

 the base, notched at tip; commissure curved. Gonys straight, or slightly con- 

 cave. Rictal bristles quite well developed. Wings rather shorter than tail. 

 First primary about equal to or rather more than half the second; third, fourth 

 and fifth quills nearly equal, sixth scarcely shorter. Tail considerably gradu- 



