Open Nests on the Ground 



the breast and sides, which are much more sharply defined in the 

 southern variety. The nesting habits are described as being 

 identical. 



552. Lark Sparrow: Chondestes grannmacus (Say) 



A(fi///— Head reddish brown with a whitish line through crown 

 and over the eye ; upper parts ashy brown with dark streaks ; 

 tail feathers dark brown with white tips ; under parts white 

 or whitish, a black line on either side of throat, and a black 

 spot on breast. Length — 6.2'y. 



Breeding Range — " Throughout the Mississippi Valley, from east- 

 ern Texas and Louisiana on the south to Iowa and southern 

 Michigan on the north." Accidental on the Atlantic coast. 



The nest is usually placed on the ground in prairie land or 

 pastures ; it is made of grasses, twigs, and fine roots, lined with 

 hairs. 3 to 4, and not more than 5, eggs are laid. In some cases 

 they are said to resemble closely the eggs of the Baltimore oriole, 

 though as a rule the markings, consisting of very dark brown and 

 lilac scrawl-like lines, are more confined to the larger end ; the 

 ground colour is white, sometimes tinged with blue or buflF. Size — 

 .80 X .63. See Fig. 3, Plate B. 



The Lark Sparrow, Lark Finch, Quailbird, or Road-bird, as he 

 is variously named, has scarcely the right to be called a resident 

 of the Eastern States, being but an occasional visitor. In localities 

 where they are regular residents they are said to " often repair the 

 nests of the mocking-bird and orchard oriole with a lining of 

 grass, horse hairs, etc." Their eggs have also been found " in 

 the nest of the scissor-tailed flycatcher," and though occasionally 

 the nest is built in bushes or even trees, it is usually on the 

 ground. The breeding season lasts from May to July. 



558. White-throated Sparrow: Zonotrichia albicollis 

 (Gmel.) 



Eggs white, tinged with either blue or yellow, with fine 

 marks and heavy blotches of various browns. 



See Page 60, Chapter II. 

 47 



