THE W1LS0:N quarterly. 73 



so large. The average size is .75 x .57, thus being rather 

 smaller than those ot passerinus^ 



CJwndestes gvammacus Lark Sparrow. 



In the preliminary report on the sparrows I mentioned 

 this bird as not common in Oberlin. I have since learned 

 that it had not thus far been taken in Lorain County, but 

 that it had beeji found within the state,* Its home is the 

 Mississippi Valley, from which thei-e are some very full 

 notes. 



It is interesting to note how different the nesting habits 

 •of these birds are as we pass from south and west to north 

 and east, Messrs, John A. Donald of Decatur, and Charles 

 D, Oldright of Austin, Texas, have sent in very full notes, so 

 that we are able to make a careful comparison. Mr. Old- 

 right says, "nests are sometimes on the ground sunk 

 to its level, and concealed in a tuft of muslin weed or 

 other plants ; but this is not so frequent in Travis County 

 as in less wooded localities. Here nests are found in bushes 

 and trees, usually not less than six feet high, and sometimes as 

 <ilevated as thirty feet. Of the twenty-eight nests by Mr. 

 Donald twelve were on the ground in the open prairie or 

 field, fifteen in trees or brush or vines, while one was on 

 top of a po-t under a cotton platform. Of the twenty -eight 

 nests, sixteen were in the prairie, seven in the timber belt, 

 five in the city of Decatur, one nest was in an elm tree, fif- 

 teen feet up, overhanging a road. Three were within a 

 few feet of public roads, 1 hree were placed in door yards. 

 The average of those placed above ground was seven feet. 

 In Iowa nests are invariably on the ground, sunk flush with 

 the suri'ace, sometimes concealed in a tuft of grass or bunch 

 of weeds ; often in the open with no attempt at conceal- 

 ment. 



The fields of fall-plowing are favorite resorts early in the 

 season. I have very frequently found nests early in May, 

 as the ground was being worked the first time. After the 

 corn is well grown, late in June or early in July, nests are 

 *0n May 20, 1892, Mr. L. M. McCoimick took several siieciineiis on the 

 Vermilion River bottoms. 



