BIRDS OF KANSAS.. 597 



getlier in small flocks, and often with the Horned Larks and 

 Longspurs, and occasiondly with the Savanna Sparrows. To 

 the casual observer, all small, plain birds are "chippies," but 

 as this species frequents the roadsides and bare spots upon the 

 prairies, it is strange that they are so often overlooked, and so 

 little known by the bird lovers. I can only account for it in 

 this manner: The birds are shy and timid, and have the habit 

 of squatting motionless at the sight of an intruder, and they so 

 closely resemble their surroundings it is no easy matter to find 

 them, even when "marked down." When in company with the 

 Horned Larks and Longspurs, they drop to the ground before 

 the latter (which attract attention by running about; become 

 alarmed; then, as the birds of this class all, as of one accord, 

 take wing together, and fly much alike, they escape notice. 



They feed largely upon the seeds from weeds and grasses; 

 also, insects in their season. In their search for the same, they 

 run nimbly over the ground, and sweep over the same in circling, 

 undulating flights, often abruptly rising and falling in their 

 course, continually uttering, as they fly, a peculiar, lisping note. 



I am unacquainted with their habits upon their breeding 

 grounds, and therefore take pleasure in quoting from Dr. Cones' 

 description, in "Birds of the Northwest:" 



"But these common traits have nothing to do with the won- 

 derful soaring action, and the inimitable, matchless song of 

 the birds during the breedifig season; it is no wonder Audubon 

 grew enthusiastic in describing it. Kising from the nest or 

 from its grassy bed, this plain looking little bird, clad in the 

 simplest colors, and making but a speck in the boundless ex- 

 panse, mounts straight up, on tremulous wings, till lost to view 

 in the blue ether, and then sends back to earth a song of glad, 

 noss that seems to come from the sky itself, to cheer the weary, 

 give hope to the disheartened, and turn the most indifferent, 

 for the moment, at least, from sordid thoughts. No other bird 

 music in our land compares with the strains of this songster; 

 there is something not of earth in the melody, coming from above, 

 yet from no visible source. The notes are simply indescribable; 

 but once heard they can never be forgotten. Their volume 



