564 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



alight ill flocks. Their food consists of the seeds of grass and other small 

 plants, which they collect on the ground. 



A single specimen of this bird was shot in Massachusetts in 1845, by Mr. 

 Samuel Jillson. It was taken in Gloucester, on the coast, where its appear- 

 ance was, of course, purely accidental. 



We are indebted to the careful observations of Mr. Eidgway for the prin- 

 cipal portion of our knowledge of the manners and mode of life of this 

 species, which he has recently ascertained to be an abundant summer resi- 

 dent in Southern Illinois. It is probably equally abundant throughout the 

 State, and is found as far east as Ohio, wliere it becomes rare. 



The Prairie Lark-Finch was found by that accurate observer very abundant 

 at Sacramento, Cal., where it frequented alike the oak groves, the cottonwood 

 and willow copses, and the weedy fields and meadows. At Sacramento it was 

 eminently arboreal, quite in contrast with its habits as observed in Illinois. It 

 was also met with in the interior, wherever the locality was suited to it. Near 

 Salt Lake City it is one of the most numerous of the birds inhabiting the 

 artemisia grounds, in the outskirts of the town, in company with Poospiza 

 hilineata and Spizella breweri. It is called by the Utah boys the Snake-Bird, 

 from the supposed resemblance of its striped head to that of a snake. At 

 Sacramento it is greatly prized as a cage-bird, and yourig birds readily sell 

 there for four dollars a pair. He states that the delightful song of this bird 

 has no parallel among the Nortli American Fringillidw, and claims that in 

 this respect it is pre-eminently superior to that of all the other members of 

 this family. As it perches upon the summit of a small tree, on the telegraph 

 wire, or upon a fence, its notes may be heard throughout the day, in tlie 

 morning before tliose of any others, and late in the evening, when all except 

 for this irrepressible songster is silence. 



The song of this species is described as composed of regularly divided 

 parts, almost perfect in compass, in vigor and continuity unsurpassed, if not 

 unequalled, by any other North American species. It begins with a series 

 of chants, the style reminding one somewhat of the Cyanospiza cyanea, but 

 each syllable loud, rich, and clear, and uttered with a peculiar emotional trill, 

 the whole seemingly delivered in a hurried manner, in one continuous gush 

 of sprightly silvery notes, each accompanied by a metallic tremolo. As if 

 exhausted, the singer falters, and the notes become scarcely audible, then 

 suddenly reviving, as if in gTeat joy, the song is resumed in all its vivacity, 

 until the bird at last really appears to be overcome by its efforts. 



Dr. Coues met wdth this species in Arizona in the winter. He writes me 

 as follows : " The most eastern point where I observed this species was at 

 St. Louis, Mo. I saw a good many in the suburbs of that city in May, 1865. 

 It is one of the most abundant Sparrows about Fort Whipple, particularly 

 during the migrations ; the majority pass northward in April and May, but 

 many breed in the vicinity, and some pass the winter in sheltered situations. 

 It is generally seen in companies, frequenting the skirts of woods, the under- 



