318 NOTES ON THE 



AMMODRAMUS CAUDACUTUS (Gmelin). (549.) 

 SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. 



I have not had the opportunity to examine the specimens of 

 this species secured by Mr. F. L. Washburn, but do not hesi- 

 tate to introduce them into this report, believing him fully 

 competent to their identification. In his notes of observations 

 and collections in the Red river valley during July and August, 

 1885, he says of the Sharp-tailed Finch. "Three individuals 

 secured, and others observed. Two were shot near Ada, and 

 had dimensions 5:2:2 each. The third killed on the northern 

 boundary at St. Vincent, measured 4.50:2:2. I found them in 

 grass-land near water, associating with long, and short-billed 

 Marsh Wrens." 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Upper parts brownish-olivaceous; head brownish, streaked 

 with black on the sides, and a broad central stripe of ashy; 

 back blotched with darker; a broad superciliary and maxillary 

 stripe, and a band across the upper breast, buff yellow; sides 

 of throat with a brown stripe; upper part of breast, and sides 

 of body streaked with black; rest of under parts white, the 

 edge of the wing yellowish-white. 



Length, 5; wing, 2.30; 



Habitat, Salt marshes of Atlantic coast westward to Minne- 

 sota, 



CHONDESTES GRAMMACUS (Say). (552.) 



LARK SPARROW. 



The Lark Finch may be justly considered one of the most 

 abundant birds, according to relative numbers that we have for 

 summer residents in the State, yet there have been years when 

 their favored localities have been almost deserted. 



It is found more or less common on the prairies, but so far 

 as my own observation has noted them, they prefer the vicinity 

 of open brush-land with a few deciduous trees not far away, 

 and may there be found in greatest numbers. Its manners and 

 habits commend it to the lovers of birds wherever it lives in 

 summer. 



Its song is really beautiful during the mating and brooding 

 season, and may be heard in almost any direction in the early 

 day and at evening about an hour before sunset, one singer 

 answered by another until the sparrow song wave seems to 

 circle out of hearing in the distance. It is not entirely terres- 

 trial, but often is seen perched on trees or fences even when 



