PASSERES 
FRINGILLIDA. 145 
southern and western portions of the state.” It seems, 
therefore, that the reference given above should stand as 
the first published record for the state. During the entire 
summer of 1894 this sparrow was found in considerable 
numbers about Oberlin, and several specimens were taken. 
I have looked for it in vain every year since then. There 
are no other reports of its occurrence within the state. 
200. (549.1.) AmMopRAMUS NELSONI (Allen). —. 
Nelson Sparrow. 
Synonyms: Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni. 
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 
To Mr. Robt. J. Sim, of Jefferson, belongs the honor 
of adding this interesting bird to our state list. The bird 
was captured in the vicinity of Geneva, Ashtabula county, 
on May 17, 1902, and sent to me for identification. It 
proved to be a fine specimen in full spring dress. When . 
captured the bird was on a bit of high, almost barren ground 
which lies between two arms of the extensive marsh near 
the lake shore. It seems probable that this secretive bird 
may be found sparingly throughout the state in suitable 
places. 
201. (552.) CHONDESTES GRAMMACUS (Say). 98. 
Lark Sparrow. 
Synonyms: Chondestes grammaca, Fringilla grammaca. 
Lark Finch. 
Wheaton, Field Notes, I, 1861, 129. 
The appearance and spread of this, one of the most beau- 
tiful singers among the sparrows, is very interesting. Dr. 
Wheaton records the first ones seen in 1861. In 1882 it 
had spread well over the southern half of the state, at least 
as far as the Scioto river, but was not known north of the 
central portion. In 1890, when I came to Oberlin, it was 
not known in Lorain county, but two years later Mr. L. M. 
McCormick found it on the Vermilion river bottoms. Since 
that time it has been found regularly, but in small numbers 
in the western half of the county, and has also reached 
