M'COWN LONGSPUR. 



539. Rhynchophanes mccownii. 6 inches. 



Male with a black crown and patch on breast, and 

 chestnut shoulders; female, and male in winter, dull 

 colored with all bright markings obscured by brownish 

 gray. 



These are also common birds on the plains of middle 

 U. S., but perhaps not so much so as the last species', 

 with which species they are often found breeding. 

 These finches show their close relationship to the 

 famous Skylark of Europe by frequently indulging in 

 the same practice of soaring aloft and descending on 

 set wings, rapturously uttering their sweet song. 



Song. — A shrill, twittering warble; call a musical 

 chirp. 



Nest. — A neat cup of grasses in a hollow in tlie 

 ground on prairies or in fields. Their four to six eggs 

 are dull whitish clouded with brownish, the marking 

 not being as distinct as in those of the last species 

 (.75 X .55). 



Range. — Breeds on the Great Plains from Kiinsag 

 aorteb to Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico 



