CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. 



538, Calcarius ornatus. 6^4 inches. 



Male in summer with a black breast and crown, and 

 chestnut nape; female, and male in winter, much duller 

 and with all bright markings covered with grayish. 



Unlike the preceding Longspurs, these are constant 

 residents in the greater part of the Western Plains, in 

 some localities being classed as one of the most abun- 

 dant birds. They have a short, sweet song that, in 

 springtime, is frequently given as the bird mounts into 

 the air after the fashion of the Horned Larks. They 

 commonly feed about ploughed fields, along the edges 

 of which they build their nests. 



Song. — A short, sweet trill ; alarm note a sharp chip, 

 and call note a more musical chirp. 



Nest. — Of fine grasses, placed on the ground in open 

 prairies or along the edges of cultivated fields, often 

 being concealed beside a tussock; their four or five 

 eggs are clay color marked with reddish brown and 

 lavender (.75 x .55). 



Range. — Breeds in the Great Plains from Kansas 

 and Colorado morth to Manitoba; winters south tp 



