go SINGING BIRDS— OSCINES. 



Neocorys Spraguei, Audubon. 



SPEAGUE'S LABK. 



Almula Spraguei, Addubon, Oin. Biog. VII. 1843, 335; pi. 486. — Ncocort/s Sprarjuei, 

 SCLATER, p. Z. S. 1857, 5. — Baird, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 234. Is. Rev. 156. 



Sp. Cn.\R. Above, brown ; ;ill the feathcr.s edged with paler, especially on the neck, 

 where there is a brownish-yellow tinge. Beneath, dull white, with a collar of sharply 

 defined narrow brown streaks across the fore part and along the fides of the breast. 

 Lores and a superciliary line whitish. Tail feathers dark brown, the outer white ; the 



next white, with the inner margin brown. Outer primary edged with white, and two 

 dull whitish bands across the wings. Bill and feet yellow, the former brown above. 

 Length, 5.75 ; wing, 3.35 ; tail, 2.50. 



Hah. Missom'i and Saskatchewan Plains. 



Tlii.s .species lia.s as yet only been found in the plains of the Upper Mis- 

 souri and the Saskatche^van, though it will probably be met with in the 

 Great Basin. It is said to he abundant in its region, though very few 

 specimens have ever been collected. It is a true skylark, the only one we 

 have, rising high in the air, and singing when out of sight, then descending 

 and concealing itself in the grass. The note is said to be quite as sweet 

 as that of the European skylark. (Baird.) 



Family DENDECECID^, Warbleks. 



Si/lmcnlidw of Baird and .authors. 



CiiAR. rrimaries nine, the first quill nearly as long as the second or 

 third. Tarsi distinctly scuteUate the whole length anteriorly. Bill conical, 



