no 



Genus Cardinalis Bonap. 



119. C. virginianus Bonap. Cardinal Ghosbeak. A rare and 

 irregular summer resident. Occasionally specimens remain until late 

 in autumn. 



Genus Pipilo Vieill. 



120. P. erythrophthalmus Vieill. Towhee. Common summer 

 resident. Arrives March 25th to April 15th; departs the last of Octo- 

 ber.' 



Family ALAUDID-SJ. 

 Genus Eremopliila Boie. 



121. E. alpestris Buie. Shore Lark. The history of this spe- 

 cies in Illinois is somewhat complex. Two current and readily dis- 

 tinguishable varieties are found during the winter, one of which is 

 also found in summer. Aware of their identity, yet wishing confir- 

 mation, I sent Mr. Hidgway specimens of the two. The winter resi- 

 dent he pronounced typical var. alpestris, and the permanently resident 

 form var. leucolcema Cs. 



121a. Var. alpestris arrives in large numbers with the Longspurs 

 in October and disperses over the prairies, where its habits are essen- 

 tially the same as those of lencolcuma, with which it associates to a 

 certain extent. During April it again unites with tlie Longspurs, and 

 the last of the month departs for its more nortliern breeding grounds. 



1216. Var. leucolsenia Cs. is a permanent resident, found in equal 

 numbers throughout the year. Sometimes tlie last of Feburary and 

 regularly during March and April the first set of eggs are deposited, 

 and early in May the fully fledged young commence to appear. After 

 a short rest the female hands the guidance of the young over to the 

 male and resumes her work on a second set of eggs. When the sec- 

 ond brood are able to follow, the party wander wherever incliuatiou 

 leads through the fall and winter, until the breeding season again 

 approaches, when they disband. 



A remarkable characteristic of the young of leucolcema from Illinois 

 is that they are exactly like the young of alpestris, although the young 

 of the two varieties are, usually, even more distinct than the adults. 

 So closely like the young of alpestris are they, that Mr. Ridgway had 

 labelled young specimens from this vicinity, and from Southern Illi- 

 nois, "a/pcsirts," and supposed this to be the resident variety until he 

 received the adults above mentioned. 



« Througli Dr. Hoy I learn that two specimens of P. arcticus have been taken 

 in Wisconsin, one near Milwaukee, where it is now preserved, and :i second oppo- 

 site Dubuque, Iowa. He has seen both specimens and is positive of their identity. 



