150 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 61. 



This latter is a very late date for the species, judging by our exper- 

 ience in the adjoining sections of Michigan, where they usually have 

 all disappeared by the middle of the month. 



132. *Spizella pusilla. — Field Sparrow. 



Common on all May Ansits. In the fall the species is rather local 

 in its distribution, but is very partial to the weedy spots in the waste 

 clearings near the end of the Point. Until the fall of 1907 we pretty 

 generally overlooked this species in the autumn until the secret of 

 its distribution was discovered, when we daily found it common from 

 August 24 to September 6, when we left. Our latest date is October 

 13, 1906. 



133. *Jimco hyemalis. — Slate-colored Junco. 



A regular and common migrant. On our earliest visit, March 9, 

 1907, there were several present, and May 13. 1905, we noted one 

 solitary late bird. We have no other spring records. In September, 

 1906, the first was noted the 17th, and two days later four more. 

 They were abundant the following October 14-15, and the 29th, in 

 1905. Keays noted their first arrival September 18, in 1901. In 

 his letters Gardner described the bird very well and reported its 

 presence at various times during the winter of 1906-07. 



134. *Melospiza cinerea melodia. — Song Sparrow. 



Not as common as would naturally be expected. While present 

 during all visits except that of March 9. 1907, it never seems to be a 

 prominent bird in the landscape. This was especially true May 20- 

 21 when, until its scarcity was noticed and we commenced a special 

 . search for it, it nearly escaped our observation. It has been much 

 commoner during the late October trips than at any other time. 



135. *Melospisa lincolnii.- — Lincoln's Sparrow. 



May 14, 1905, two were met with in a brush pile in a slashing but. 

 as usual with the species, when the birds were in sight they were too 

 close to shoot, and when at a sufficient distance to collect nicely they 

 were not to be seen. This species is one of the most persistent skulk- 

 ers that we have. They frequent dense brushy masses and, when col- 

 lectors are around, generally keep to their deepest recesses. Usually, 

 however, when approached, they will hop to some commanding posi- 

 tion and view the intruder for an instant. Then, if the observer is 

 bent on taking specimens, is the time to shoot, but it must be done 

 instantly, for the next second the bird will be gone deep in the tan- 

 gle, and it is rarely seen again. On the other hand, though difficult 

 to shoot, it is one of the easiest birds to trap, and does not seem to 

 have the least suspicion that strange combinations of sticks or 

 springs can harbor any danger. On its migrations we have never 

 heard it utter any distinctive note, and as it so closely resembles 

 the Song Sparrow in appearance, it is not an easy bird to identify 



