680 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



Poocaetes grmvineus, var. conjinis, Baird, (grass-finch:) 



Hah. — nigli central plains to the Pacific. 



This bird— a mere western variety of our common grass-fincb or bay- 

 winged bunting, (P. (jraminem) — is a very common species at Salt Lake, 

 and in fact it was common all along our route, except in the densely- 

 wooded regions. 



I found several nests of these birds. They were placed on the 

 ground— generally under a sage-brush — and were composed of grass, 

 laid rudely together. They lay four or five light-colored, spotted eggs 

 in the early part of June. 



Chondestes granimaca, Bonap., (lark-finch :) 



jjal). — From Wisconsin and the prairies of Illinois (also in Michigan,) 

 to tbe Pacific coast ; south to Texas and Mexico. 



This plain but rich-colored sparrow is quite abundant at Ogden, and 

 from there to Snake River. It is also common at Pirc-Hole Basin, 

 Wyomiil^ Territory, where I obtained one specimen, No. 241, (02307.) I 

 collectedthe nest of the lark-finch on the 7th of Jane at Ogden. It was 

 similar in material and situation to that of the grass-finch (P. conjinis) 

 iust described, and contained five fresh eggs. 



As the plumage of this bird is richer and deeper than that of the 

 grass-finch, so are its eggs much more beautiful, their spots and mark- 

 ings being darker and more distinct. 



