VOl 190? VI ] Stansell, Birds of Central Alberta. 397 



summer of 1906, but somewhat scarce during the summer of 1907; since 

 then they have been very rare. 



106. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Very common. These birds 

 remain in flocks even while nesting; no less than six pairs are almost 

 continually around the house. When I first noticed them carrying nesting 

 material they picked out fine rootlets from the garden; then, about a week 

 later, they carried away numerous feathers and mouthfuls of hair. I 

 watched their flight but could not locate their nests as the woods here are 

 extremely dense. 



107. Plectrophenax nivalis. Snowbunting. — Very numerous in the 

 fall, winter, and early spring; always seen in large flocks, generally in the 

 open fields. 



108. Calcarius lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — Quite common 

 during spring and fall. I have no knowledge of their breeding here. 



109. Pooecetes gramineus confinis. Western Vesper Sparrow. — 

 Very common in the open woodlands and clearings. 



110. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus. Western Savannah 

 Sparrow. — One of our most common sparrows, frequenting the more 

 open districts. 



111. Ammodramus nelsoni. Nelson's Sparrow. — Only fairly com- 

 mon, frequenting the low marshy hay meadows. 



112. Zonotrichia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Common 

 only during spring and fall migration. I do not know whether it nests in 

 this locality. 



113. Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. — This is 

 one of our most common sparrows, nesting in the deep woods as well as in 

 the more open districts. Its nest is located either in a tangle of brush or 

 near some fallen tree. Their most beautiful song, to me, is a sweet whis- 

 tling call of Oh see-me me me me me; sometimes only Oh see me, and again 

 Oh see. 



114. Spizella monticola ochracea. Western Tree Sparrow. — Very 

 numerous here during spring and fall migration but to my knowledge it 

 does not breed near. 



115. Spizella passerina. Chipping Sparrow. — Quite common, espe- 

 cially in the vicinity of evergreens. 



116. Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. — One of our most 

 numerous sparrows, preferring the more brushy deciduous undergrowth 

 where it places its nest, either on the ground or near it in some low bush. 



117. Junco hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. — Very numerous. 

 Prefers the mossy swamps in which to build its nest, although I have 

 found it nesting within fifty feet of the house under the edge of an artificial 

 bank. Two broods are reared each year. 



118. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. — Very common along the 

 more open streams and open swampy lands. 



119. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — Fairly common in 

 the wet hay sloughs and along wet and marshy runs. 



