Vol-XXVIIj jjess, Breediruj Birds of Central Illinois. 27 



44. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Crackle. — Abundant sum- 

 mer resident. Arrives Feb. 28 to March 7. Earliest nesting, 4 eggs, 

 April 26, 1897; latest, 5 eggs, May 25, 1905. 



45. Astragalinus tristis. Goldfinch. — Common resident. In full 

 summer plumage by May 1. Earliest nesting, 6 eggs, July 14, 189G. Lat- 

 est, 5 young, Sept. 10, 1902. 



46. Pooecetes gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Common summer resi- 

 dent. Arrives Marcli 19 to April 1. Earliest nesting, 4 eggs. May 13, 

 1898; latest. 4 eggs, June 15, 1898. 



47. Coturniculus savannarum australis. Grasshopper Sparrow. — 

 Abundant summer resident. Arrives April 23 to May 4. Earliest nesting. 

 5 eggs, May 27, 1898; latest, 5 eggs, June 6, 1901. Second nests are 

 abundant in July in second growth clover. 



48. Chondestes grammacus. Lark Sparrow. — Rare summer resident. 

 Although I have observed this bird for three seasons, I have but one nesting 

 record. On May 17, 1908, I found a nest of four fresh eggs in an oat field 

 near Salt Fork Creek. Have also observed two pairs near Bowse's grove 

 during 1909. I have found no other record of the nesting of grammacus 

 in eastern Illinois. 



49. Spizella passerina. Chipping Sparrow. — Rare summer resident. 

 Formerly abundant. Arrives March 10 to 22. Earliest nesting, 4 eggs. 

 May 8, 1898; latest, 4 eggs. May 20, 1896. The Cliipping Sparrow is very 

 hkely to become extinct here unless it builds a more substantial nest, as 

 each summer storm dislodges them from their foundations. 



50. Spizella pusilla. Field Sparrow. — Abundant summer resident. 

 Arrives March 19 to 31. Earliest nesting, 3 eggs. May 11, 1902; latest, 

 3eggs. July 17. 1S9S. 



51. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. — Abundant summer resi- 

 dent. Arrives Feb. 19 to March 10. Earliest record Feb. 10, 1907. 

 Earliest nesting, 4 eggs. May 5, 1897; latest, 3 eggs, July 18, 1897. 



52. Peucsea aestivalis bachmani. B.\chman's Sparrow. — Rare sum- 

 mer resident. The only breeding record I have of this sparrow is a nest 

 and four eggs which I took May 31, 1896. This set was identified by both 

 Dr. Ralph and Major Bendire and was in Bendire's hands at the time of 

 his death. I have seen no more northern record of the nesting of bachmani. 



53. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparroav. — Rare summer resident. 

 Arrives April 2 to 10. Earhest nesting, 3 eggs. May 17, 1906; latest, 

 5 eggs, May 26, 1905. Of four nests found, each had an appendage or 

 handle constructed of grass stems protruding from one side about three 

 inches. 



54. Passer domesticus. Europe.\n House Sparrow. — Abundant 

 resident. Nests from March to September. Numbers constantly in- 

 creasing. 



55. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Towhee. — Common summer resident. 

 Arrives March 14 to April 4. Earhest nesting, 3 eggs May 16, 1901; 

 latest, 3 eggs, June 10, 1901. One remarkable nest was found seven feet 



