256 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



October 25, 1904, 5 ; October 26, 1899, 2 ; October 27, 1893, 12 ; October 28, 

 1894, 35; October 30, 1904, 5; October 31, 1893, 6; November 2, 1893, 10 ; 

 November 3, 1893, 12 ; November 3, 1898, 4; November 20, 1904, 2 ; Novem- 

 ber 22, 1903, 2; November 29, 1901, 20; December 7, 1903, 20; December 

 8, 1901, 30; December 9, 1898, 10; December 28, 1902, 25 ; January 4, 1904, 

 15; January 12, 1902, 50; January 18, 1902, 7; January 24, 1904, 6; January 

 26, 1902, 30. 



Lapland Longspurs, although occasionally found by themselves, are more 

 apt to be associated with Horned Larks or Snow Buntings. Flying and feeding 

 with these birds, they generally keep together, however, in one part of the flock, 

 although a few scattered birds are not uncommon. They frequent the dunes at 

 Ipswich and the neighboring hills by the sea, particularly those at Great Neck 

 and Eagle Hill. They occasionally visit the beach and the salt marshes. They 

 have also been found at times at Swampscott and Marblehead. 



Longspurs are often difficult to find. Thus on December 6th, 1903, 1 

 searched the Ipswich dunes from one end to the other and the sides of Hog 

 Island, yet, although Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and Ipswich Sparrows were 

 common, none of the Longspurs could be found. Early next morning I dis- 

 covered a flock of twenty of these birds with a large flock of Horned Larks 

 feeding on the hillside close to my house, within a mile of the beach. The 

 Longspurs like the Larks are walkers, not hoppers, but unlike the Larks, they 

 frequently alight on the fruiting spears of beach-grass to obtain the seeds. I 

 have sometimes approached within a few feet of birds thus engaged. Their 

 notes are various. The sweet single and double notes suggest those of the 

 Snow Bunting, but they are slightly sibilant, while the Bunting's notes are 

 whistled. Instead of the charming trilling of the latter bird, the Longspur 

 emits a hoarse rattle or chirr, which is generally sounded as it starts to fly. 



Their small size, more slender form, and dark appearance distinguish the 

 Lapland Longspur from both Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. When 

 observed at close range on the ground, two parallel buff streaks are to be seen 

 on their backs. 



Just as this goes to press I am informed by Mr. H. W. Wright that on 

 February 23d, 1905, he saw a flock of twenty-four Lapland Longspurs at 

 Marblehead Neck. 



