THREE INTERESTING BIRDS. 25 



patient, leaped upon his shoulder, a favorite trick when 

 they were out on walks and he wanted a ride, and stood 

 there until the gun was discharged and the game was on 

 the ground. Then he leaped down and seized it. 



Three Interesting Birds. 



BY NORMAN O. FOERSTER. 



THE PRAIRIE HORNED EARK. 



The Prairie Horned Eark, a winter bird, which east of 

 here regularly goes north before Ma}' and breeds chiefly 

 in the region of Eake Erie, nests every year in Schenley 

 Park, Pittsburg, Pa. 



It was on March 3d that I made my first visit to the 

 Park. A mild temperature (57 deg.) a cloudless, dark 

 blue sky, a very gentle southerly breeze, and a transpar- 

 ent atmosphere combined to make the weather conditions 

 perfect. In the open fields — which were thawed — I came 

 upon a party of four, walking about, picking up seeds of 

 small weeds and grasses, continually uttering a plaintive, 

 " che-e." They were not shy, and I could approach with- 

 in about four yards. One mounted a small stone and with 

 his square-looking head thrown back gave vent to his 

 overflowing feeling in a rippling warble. Another dainti- 

 ly walked over to the macadamized road and after swallow- 

 ing a few fragments of stone as if to clear his throat, 

 launched into the air. Soaring higher and higher poured 

 forth a song evidently intended for the ears of the female 

 who was calmly watching him^a song far more varied 

 than the sweet but monotonous song of about seven notes 

 usually sung. Higher and higher he da.shed, climbing 

 the dizzy steps of space until, long after his notes could 

 not be heard by my human ears, he became a mere speck 

 in the blue sky, and finally disappeared from my sight. 



