558 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



While on the ground feeding they scatter over considerable area 

 but when frightened to wing they form a compact flock which 

 circles about some time with musical cries, and then alight a little 

 distance away. In flight they present a very pretty scene, remind- 

 ing one not a little of a whirling flurry of snow. They were 

 usually quite fearless or unsuspicious, rarely taking flight until ap- 

 proached quite closely. They even paid no attention to gunshots 

 only a short distance away on the lake shore. They remained until 

 the 15th. 



On October 22, 1913, three appeared on Long Point. They 

 were seen again the next day. On the 24th only one was seen, but 

 two were noted on the 25th, after which they were not again seen. 



110. VESPER SPARROW 



POfECETES GRAMINEUS (Gmelin) 



A moderately common summer resident, arriving early in April 

 and remaining until late in October ; nesting on the ground in the 

 fields; noted at various times from April 11 to October 15. Fre- 

 quently seen in public highways and easily known by the white 

 outer tail feathers. . 



Our definite dates are as follows: September 18 and October 

 15, 1899 ; March 27, April 11 and 20, and June 6, 7, and 18, 1901 ; 

 July 3, 1904; October 13, 1906, when 40 to 50 were seen in a 

 weedy field south of the lake ; September 22 and 23, 1907, when 15 

 to 20 were seen west of lake; and September 14, 25, 28, and 30, 

 and October 5, 14, and 19, 1913. 



111. SAVANNA SPARROW 



PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS SAVANNA (Wilson) 



A rare summer resident; noted only once, October 24, 1904, on 

 road between the lake and the tamarack swamp. 



112. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 



AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM AUSTRALIS Maynard 



This little bird, one of the most dainty and attractive of the 

 sparrows, is probably rather common in the meadows about the 

 lake. As its haunts lie outside of the zone of constant observa- 

 tion, and as it is not conspicuous either to sight or hearing at any 

 great distance, records concerning it are rather few. About the 

 only region suitable for it west of the lake is Green's clover field, 

 and whenever this was passed during the summer, the Grass- 



