212 Kaiisas Academy of Science. 



Since then three more supplements have appeared, and the Kansas 

 list has now many more obsolete names. 



In the past ten years, many new facts of bird distribution have 

 been discovered. The study of the Texas fauna by the United 

 States Biological Survey, as well as the careful work done by 

 ornithologists in Colorado and Nebraska, has shown how little is 

 actually known of Kansas birds. Kansas ornithologists have many 

 problems left for solution before an absolutely correct list of our 

 birds can be prepared. An examination of the references in the 

 first three volumes of Robert Ridgway's monumental work, "The 

 Birds of North and Middle America," has shown some of these de- 

 ficiencies, a few of which I wnll mention. 



Do both forms of the Evening grosbeak occur in Kansas, or only 

 the Western V 



Have we the Red crossbill or only the form listed of Loxia cur- 

 viostra stricklandi, but which is really L. e. headieri? 



Does the Western goldfinch belong to the fauna of our western 

 counties? It has been taken in summer in Nebraska. 



How far east in Kansas does the Western lark sparrow ( Chon- 

 destes gmmmaciis utrigatiis) range? 



Both forms of the Vesper sparrow occur. How far west does 

 Pomcefes gramineus range before being replaced by confinis, which 

 occurs over the greater part of western Kansas ? 



The Alaskan longspur may occur in western Kansas in winter. 

 No records of its capture have been made. The Western form 

 {biinaculaUis) is our most common Grasshopper sparrow. Do we 

 have also the Eastern form, now credited to the state ? This will 

 probably be determined in the atfirmative. 



Baird's sparrow should be abundant in migration over a large 

 part of western Kansas. There are no records of its capture. 



Do we have the Western form of Henslow's sparrow ? It has 

 been found breeding in Nebraska. 



How many forms of Junco enter the state ? Junco oregonus 

 (or oreganns) does not occur. Our birds are shufeldti or 7non- 

 tanus, probably both. Junco caniceys may also occur in the west- 

 ern part. Junco hyeniaiis is the common bird of the state. 



How far east does the Western Tree sparrow range ? W^e should 

 have the Western Field sparrow and possibly the Western Chipping 

 sparrow. 



Brewer's sparrow may breed in northwestern Kansas. It has 

 not been reported in the state. 



The Green-taiied towhee may possibly be found in the canyons 

 of western Kansas. 



