'^%''u."'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM." 593 



diisk,;i strauge small si)airo\v ran aloug the grouDcl before mo, utteriug 

 a loug twittering song in a quiet, cheerful way. I expected a discovery, 

 but fouud it was only my old friend the bay wing. 1 subsequently heard 

 this eflusiou a number of times; it is like a soft continuous whispering 

 of extracts from his various other musical performances. It was a 

 male; length (Jj, extent 11 ; gizzard full of grain. 



Ou July 31, 1883, at Humphrey's Lake with M. C, we noted a small 

 bird that rose iu the air siiiging a song like that of the English Lark, 

 but less powerful. It sang and soared to a height of about 40 feet, then 

 sank again to the grass, After an eager pursuit it was secured and 

 proved to be only a Vesper Sparrow. 



On August 4, 1884, heard a sparrow making a continuous screeching 

 noise. It proved a baywing. In its bill was a grasshopper, and its 

 gizzard was full of insects. Three times this week have I heard the 

 baywing singing its air song from aloft. These are the only occasions 

 noted this year, and now the species is not singing its ordinary song 

 at all. Last 3'ear, as near as I remember, it was the samely. 



Like its eastern relative this bird has a habit of running and flying 

 by turns on the path, or a few feet before one. I have watclied the 

 conceited little creature when it chanced to alight on the trail, just in 

 front of a train of over a hundred emigrant wagons, that, with a great 

 herd of cattle and a rabble of boys and dogs, under guidance of noisy 

 drivers and mounted outriders, presented a most formidable array half 

 a mile in length, and the little baywing kept hop-hopping along iu 

 front and watching back over his shoulder; or if the leader approached 

 liim too closely, he would take a short flight and continue on the trail 

 hopping, and seem all along to say '^ Catch me if you can, you folks ; 

 you are following hard and I am much amused." Then when at last he 

 left the trail and the crowd ])assed on, he seemed to congratulate him- 

 self on having outwitted them so cunningly; or it may possibly have 

 been that he thought he was the leader of the whole train, for I have 

 also seen him when the train turned off at forks flit across the narrow 

 point of laud and again resume his task of leadership, much after the 

 lashion of modern newspapers and politicians that are supposed to be 

 the leaders of public opinion. 



Another peculiarity of the si)ecies is its fondness for adust bath. It 

 will squirm and rustle its plumage and splash about in a dust heap for 

 half an hour at a time, evidently enjoying it hugely. On a small sandy 

 spot by the house door 1 used daily to see from one to six baywiugs 

 enjoying their dry wash, but very rarely any other species. 



In some of its habits it presents a considerable difference to the 

 eastern bird, being in my opinion a much more accomplished songster, 

 although superior opportunities for studying this bird may have influ- 

 enced my i)refereuce for its music. 



During the months of July and August he ceases his usual vesper 

 scng, and vents his feelings in a load, wild, lark-like chant, which is 

 Proc. N. M. 00- 38 



