240 BIRDS OF THE NEW YORK CITY REGION 



ensuing discussion all sight records are rejected, unless made 

 by people familiar with Museum series, or accompanied by a 

 satisfactory statement of the observation. An exception, 

 however, is made for mid-summer observations. There is no 

 doubt that the Prairie Horned Lark is a rare bird in this 

 region, and there is no reason to suppose that it breeds or 

 ever did breed anywhere except in northern New Jersey. It has 

 occurred elsewhere chiefly in the winter months, but there 

 are a few July and September records. These have been 

 interpreted as evidence of breeding, but I cannot regard it 

 as satisfactory. The bird nests in April, and July individuals 

 are in all probability nothing but summer wanderers. 



Long Island. Specimens have been taken at Long Island City 

 on July 31, 1886 and September 14, 1887. Two birds seen July 2, 

 1903 at Montauk Point (C. G. Abbott and P. H. Bahr) were in all 

 probability this subspecies. Otherwise known only as a rare winter 

 visitant. Its exact status cannot be given, as too many observa- 

 tions are erroneous. On the other hand it is unquestionably not as 

 rare as the very few specimens collected would indicate. The 

 only one in the American Museum was shot on March 7, 1891. 



ORIENT. Mr. Roy Latham writes that it is a frequent 

 winter visitant, and recorded in summer, but no breeding 

 evidence obtained. While this is a most interesting statement 

 from an experienced observer, the bird's frequency in winter 

 should be established by specimens. 

 MASTIC. No record. 



LONG BEACH. There are eleven observations in the last 



thirteen years, which have been made with every possible care, 



three by Griscom, the balance by Bicknell. The extreme dates 



are November 4, 1920 to March 18, 1916. It is only proper to 



state, however, that there is always a possibility of error. The 



writer should prefer to regard his own observations as probable 



evidence of occurrence rather than as positive records. 



New York State. A bird seen on the parade ground south of 



Van Cortlandt Park, New York City, on July 29, 1916 was in all 



probability this subspecies. Otherwise no record. 



New Jersey. A few pairs nest along the high slaty ridge be- 

 tween Newton and Johnsonburg, Sussex County. The first nest 

 collected in May, 1893, and several others taken, the last April 17, 



