272 



SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



Their fliglit is usually slow and laLorious, partly sailing, and they fxirnish 

 pretty good game i'or the sportsman when no other is to be found. Their 

 flesh, though rather dry and insipid, is white and much eaten, especially by 

 foreigners, who consider every bird, ho^ve^-er small, a great delicacy. 



Their nest is made in a slight depression under a bunch of grass, and 

 usually more or less arched over by blades bent down. It is C[uite artfidly 

 concealed, and the female, if on it, generally skulks off some distance before 

 flying. The eggs are four or five, measuring 1.15 X 0.85 inch, very obtuse, 

 wliite, with a few large purplish-brown blotches and dots towards the large 

 end. 



They feed chiefly on insects, grass-seeds, and grain, but do no damage in 

 the fields, while they destroy many noxious insects. They walk rather 

 awkwardly but cpiickly, and have great ingenuity in concealing themselves 

 when wounded. 



Specimens have been shot near San Francisco and northward, whicli Pro- 

 fessor Baird could not distinguish from the Eastern bird. The difference in 

 notes, however, has always been observed, and is an important character. 



Trupialis militaris, Linnceus (Bonaparte), a South American lark with a 

 red breast, has been said to occur in California, but if so, must be a rare 

 visitor, as I have never seen or heard of it liere myself. 



Sub-Family ICTERINiE. 



CiiAR. Bill slender, elongated, as long as the head, generally a little de- 

 curved, and very acute. Tarsi not longer than the middle toe, nor than the 

 head ; claws short, much curved ; outer lateral toe a little longer than the 

 inner, reaching a little beyond base of middle toe. Feet adapted for perch- 

 ing. Tail rounded or gTaduated. Prevailing colors yellow or orange, and 

 black. 



