64 



ineadowlark, S. 'magna, as Dr. Gates assures me, is accidental in the 

 sand prairie, though it is fairly common in the flat areas of sandy 

 loam. Ncglccta is a characteristic plains species. (Cf. Gates, 'iia.) 



Passer domesticus Linn, 



The English sparrow is sometimes found in flocks in bunch-grass 

 pasture. Not a typical bunch-grass species. 



Poocaetes grauiincus graniincits Gmel. 



The vesper sparrow is one of the dominant species, normally 

 nesting in the bunch-grass, and frequently seen in flocks. Its food 

 consists largely of grasshoppers. A western species is found in the 

 same habitat of the plains region. 



Chondestcs grainiuacus graiinuacns Say. 



The lark sparrow is another dominant sparrow of bunch-grass, 

 nesting on the ground, and frequently found in small flocks. A typ- 

 ical prairie species. Grasshoppers and other insects constitute a con- 

 siderable proportion of its food. 



Spizella piisilla pusilla Wils. April 4, 5. 



A number of field sparrows were seen in the bunch-grass south- 

 east of Havana. During the first week in April they were common 

 over all the open areas of the sand region. 



Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis Linn. 



The redbird is one of the dominant species of thickets in the sand 

 region; but in the bunch-grass it is hardly more than an accidental 

 visitor. 



Spiza ainericana Gmel. 



Another dominant bunch-grass species, probably nesting on the 

 ground. Seen in flocks or pairs quite frequently. The dickcissel is 

 a characteristic species of the prairie. Its diet is partly grasshoppers. 



Lanius ludozicianus ludovicianus Linn. July 25. 



The shrike is rather scarce in the sand prairie, and perhaps more 

 typical of the cultivated fields than of the bunch-grass. Seen in the 

 Devil's Hole on fences. Eats numbers of locusts and other insects. 



Miiiiiis polyglottos polyglottos Linn. 



The mocking-bird, though characteristic of thickets, is more often 

 seen in the bunch-grass than is the brown thrasher. Much of its 

 food consists of insects, largely grasshoppers. 



Toxostoiua rufuui Linn. 



Though primarily a bird of thickets, the brown thrasher is often 

 seen on fences in the bunch-grass. A grasshopper-feeder to some ex- 

 tent. 



