414 NORTH AMERICA X BIRDS. 



Genus CHONDESTES Swaixso.n. (Page 383. pi. CIX., fig. 2.) 



Species. 



Common Characters. — Above brownish or brownish gray, the back Btreaked 

 ■with blackish ; tail-feathers (except middle pair) broadly tipped with white ; 

 lower parts chiefly white. Adult: Crown and ear-covcrts chestnut, the former 

 divided medially by a pale brownish gray or grayish buff stripe (whitish anteri- 

 orly), the chestnut passing anteriorly into blackish; a black streak across lores, 

 and one along each side of throat ; a small black spot on middle of chest. Young : 

 Crown and ear-coverts grayish brown, the former streaked with blackish ; whole 

 plumage usually more or less suffused with buffy, and chest streaked with duskj-. 

 Nest on ground or in bushes or trees, composed of dried gi-asses, etc. Eijgs 3-5, 

 pure white (sometimes with a faint bluish or brownish tinge), S2)eckled and lined, 

 chiefly on larger end, with black and dark brown. 



a}. Averaging darker and grayer, with black streaks on back broader and chestnut 

 of head rather dai-ker; wings and tail shorter; length 5.75-6.75, W'ing 3,20- 

 3.80 (3.49), tail 2.70-3.00 (2"^82). Eggs .80 X -61. Hub. Mississippi Valley, 

 north to southern Michigan, east to Ohio (casuallj- to Atlantic coast), south 

 to eastern Texas, Louisiana, etc. 



552. C. grammacus (Say). Lark Sparrow. 



rt'. Averaging paler and browner, with black streaks on back narrower, and chestnut 

 of head rather lighter; wings and tail longer; length 6.50-7.25, wing 3.35- 

 3.70 (3.58), tail 2.60-3.35 (2.93). Eggs .80 X -63. Hah. Western United 

 States, east to Great Plains and middle Texas, south over table-lands of 

 Mexico. 



552i/. C. grammacus strigatus (Swains.). Western Lark Sparrow. 



Genus ZONOTRICHIA Swainson. (Page 385, pi. CIX., fig. 4.) 



Species. 



Common Characters. — Back brownish, streaked with blaclcish ; lower back, 

 rump, and upper tail-coverts plain olive-brownish or grayish brown ; wing with two 

 •white bands ; tertials and uppermost greater wingcoverts broadly cilgod with 

 chestnut, this passing terminallj- into white ; tail without white; lower parts plain 

 whitish or grayish (streaked in j-oung). Adults with head whoUj- black {Z. quer- 

 vla), or else with a broad black strijie on each side of crown. Nest on or near 

 ground, in open places (sometimes in bushes), composed of dried grasses, etc. 

 Eggs 3-5, pale greenish blue, greenish white, or butty whitish, spotted, speckled, 

 or sprinkled with rusty brown. 



«'. Top of head black, without trace of median stripe, orof j-cllow; sides and fl.Tnks 



