678 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



There is apparently no seasonal change of plumage in the adults. 



Length, 5.30; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40; bill, .36. 



The Redstart is an abundant summer resident in Illinois and 

 Wisconsin, arriving about May i and leaving for the south late in 

 September or the first few days in October. Its song varies consid- 

 erably but that which is most common may be described as a rather 

 shrill see-wee, see-wee; see-wee, see-wee. 



It breeds in May and June. The nest is usually built on the 

 branch of a tree, from 6 to 25 feet from the ground, and is composed 

 of shreds of bark, plant fibers and dried leaf stems, etc. The eggs 

 are 4 or 5, greenish white or grayish white, spotted and blotched 

 chiefly at the larger end with grayish and dark brown, and measure 

 about .65 X .49 inches. The Field Museum collection contains a 

 series of sets of eggs of this species taken in northern Illinois between 

 June I and June 22. 



Family MOTACILLID^. Wagtails, Tit- 

 larks, Pipits, etc. 



This family comprises some sixty or more species, mostly belong- 

 ing to the Old World. A single species regularly occurs in eastern 

 North America. It frequents open fields and is usually found in 

 flocks. The nest is composed of grass and built on the ground. 

 They are insectivorous and migratory. 



Genus ANTHUS Bechs. 



338. Anthus rubescens (Tunstall). 



American Pipit. Titlark. 



Anthus pensilvanicus (Lath.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 289. 



Distr.: North America, breeding north of the Unites States, ex- 

 cept in the higher parts of the Rocky Mountains; winters in the 

 Gulf states, Mexico, and Central America. 



Adult in summer: Hind toe nail, long, about equal to length of 

 hind toe; upper plumage, brownish gray, some of the feathers with 

 obscure dark centers most noticeable on the back; a buffy super- 

 ciliary stripe; under parts, pale brownish buff; pale on the chin; 

 the breast and sides with obscure dusky streaks; wings and tail. 



