476 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
Savanna sparrow arrived. They run along among the grasses 
rather than take flight. The song isa low unattractive s-e-e-t s-k, 
emitted either from the ground or from an elevation. They feed 
about the margin of pools of still water where they seem to pro- 
cure aquatic insects and grass seeds. Their colours blend most per- 
fectly with such surroundings and it is only by persevering watch- 
fulness that an observer may see them, unless they happen to 
take flight. The nests are built back from the water where there 
is no danger from an overflow and are fairly well concealed. The 
few nests observed have been built of dried grass blades through- 
out, the lining being composed of the finest material. One nest 
was a mere film of blades, scarce compact enough to lift from the 
depression where it was placed. It was built under the side of a 
log and contained five eggs which were very uniformly marked, 
there being three distinct varieties of colouring. A set now 
before the writer, taken May 27th, contains four eggs, ‘71 x °59, 
80 x °58,°72 x 60,°72 x 59. The ground colour is pale greehish- 
blue marked with cinnamon-brown, umber and blue-gray. The 
first, third and fourth are so heavily marked as to obscure the 
ground colour, the second is much more finely and sparsely 
marked, and with the third most heavily marked about the large 
end. The nest was placed in a gully having a southern exposure, 
and was also well concealed by thick grasses. While the writer 
was walking across an island the bird flushed from under foot and 
flew quietly away without making the least attempt at alluring 
its disturber from the vicinity of the nest, nor did it return for some 
time. The male was not seenat all. The eggs were fresh, which 
fact probably accounted for the shyness of the birds. (W. Hf. Moore.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
One specimen taken at Scotch Lake, N.B., Sept. 7th, 1go1, by 
W. H. Moore. 
One set of four eggs taken at Wolfville, King’s Co., N.S., 
June 2nd, 1902, by Mr. R. W. Tufts. Nest made of grass placed 
among grass in a salt marsh. 
CCI. CHONDESTES, Swainson. 1827. 
552. Lark Sparrow. 
Chondestes grammacus (SAy) Bonap. 1838. 
One seen on Sable Island N.S. on Sept. 6th, 1902, and a number 
on October roth. (James Bouteiller.) 
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