LXXIII 



DicKCissEL ; Black-throated Bunting 

 604. Spiza americana (Gmel.) 



This seven-inch long, common-sparrow-looking bird, 

 with its dark gray back, chestnut-colored wings, faint 

 yellow streak over the eyes, black blotch on the throat, 

 and yellow-splashed breast with black dot in the center, 

 is easily distinguished by a close observer. It is fond of 

 dry upland pastures bordering roadsides, especially if 

 they are overgrown with thistles and other heavy weeds. 

 It lays four bluish eggs in July. The nest is a deep struc- 

 ture into which enter much bramble and clean straws, 

 and is built on or near the ground. (Fig. 112.) 



The Dickcissel ranges from the Gulf to Canada, and 

 from the AUeghenies to the Rockies. About the first 

 week in May the male puts in his appearance, to be 

 followed by the female a week later. Then in the last 

 week in August, after large flocks of these birds have 

 collected, they depart for the South, where they spend the 

 winter months. 



The male takes no part in the nest-building or in 

 feeding the young. His principal occupation during this 

 period, apparently, is to perch on the nearest wire, twig 

 or post and incessantly repeat his attempt at song : * ' See, 

 see, see ! dick, dick, dick ! ' ' This monotonous, unmusical 

 refrain he keeps up for hours, during the heat of the day, 

 when all other birds have sought the seclusion of the 

 deep shadows. 



Because of their back markings and yellow breasts 

 with central spots, Dickcissels in some localities are 

 erroneously called "Little Meadowlarks. " 



They are weed, seed and insect eaters and are of 

 much benefit to the farmer. They are very shy around 

 the nest, and will abandon it if disturbed very much. 

 Every one of their homes in which I have found a Cow- 

 bird's egg along with those of the rightful owners was 

 abandoned. It is extremely hard to photograph the 



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