BIRDS. 13 



shrubbery, adroitly and effectually evading its pursuer. I observed them during four or five 

 days of our travel, when they disappeared. They were probably migrating at the time, though 

 their continued and oft-repeated song gave notice tWey were about preparing for the duties of 

 incubation. 



PLECTROPHANES MELANOMUS, B a i r d. Black-shouldered Longspur. 



Plcctrophancs intlanomus, BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 1858, 436. 



SP. CH. Male. Top of the head, flexure of wings, a patch behind the ears, the breast and abdomen, black. A broad band of 

 chestnut on the hind neck, between which and the occiput is a spot of white. A line over the eye, the throat, and ears, of a 

 dirty yellow gray. Under tail coverts white. Lesser wing coverts black, tipped with white, forming a white baud. Upper 

 parts light brown, each feather dark brown in its centre. Sides dark gray. The tail composed of twelve white feathers tipped 

 with brown, this tipping increasing in depth from the outer to the central feathers until it extends about half-way down these 

 latter. Bill dusky. Feet dark brown. Length 5 inches. During the winter a gray margin en the feathers nearly conceals 

 all those portions which are black in spring. This disappearing by friction or otherwise, the spring livery is fairly donned. 



Female. Up.per parts light brown, the centre of each feather marked with a dark brown spot. These spots being thicker and 

 smaller on the top of the head give it a darker hue. Vent and throat gray, the latter margined by a line of pale brownish gray 

 spotted feathers, which extends down to and spreads over the breast, belly, and sides. Tail, bill, and feet, like those of the 

 male. Length 5 inches. 



I first remarked this bird in flocks, associated with the P. McCownii, at a large prairie dog 

 village some miles west of Puerto del Dado. Fresh meat having become scarce in camp, and 

 desiring a few birds for supper, I fired into a flock covering densely quite a large space. Three 

 dozen fell at the first discharge, and among them I was pleased to find this species and the 

 P. McCownii. From this point to the Eio Grande we found both of these species abundant 

 wherever we struck isolated water-holes ; these being the only spots for miles around where 

 drink can be obtained. When fired at they rise as if to fly away ; but forced by thirst to return 

 after describing a few curves to the only spot where their parched tongues can find relief, they 

 may, if the hunter feels so inclined, be fairly slaughtered. I have often seen from 100 to 150 

 brought down in four or five discharges of a gun. While on a trip to the Rocky mountains in 

 1843, I met a closely allied species, P. ornatus, in small flocks and pairs, scattered over the 

 prairies of the Platte river, and was fortunate enough to discover one of their nests. Built on 

 the ground, it was composed of fine grasses and lined with hair. The eggs, four in number, 

 were white, with black lines at the larger end, and a few faint neutral tint blotches scattered 

 over the surface. 



PLECTROPHANES McCOWNII, Lawrence. Rufous- winged Lark Bunting. 



Plsctrophanes McCownii, LAWR. Annals of N. Y. Lyceum, Vol. V. p. 123. BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 437. 



SP. CH. Male. Top of head and crescent on breast black. Upper parts light brown, with dark brown linear spots in the 

 centres of the feathers. Primaries and secondaries dusky brown, with margins of grayish white. Lesser wing coverts black, 

 broadly tipped with chestnut. Line over the eye dirty white. A small black patch at the angle of the lower mandible. A line 

 of small brown spots runs down the front of the neck from near the same point. Sides of neck and auriculars pale ashy brown. 

 Sides and flanks dark gray. Breast below the crescent gray, changing gradually to dirty white on the belly. Tail composed of 

 twelve feathers ; two central ones brown, the rest white, tipped with a broad band of dusky hue. Bill and feet dusky brown. 

 Length 5 inches. 



Female. Upper parts light brown, each feather dark brown in its centre. Wings brown, fringed with dusky white. Line 

 over the eye pale rusty color. Chin dusky white. Breast, sides, and flanks, pale rusty gray ; abdomen paler. An indistinct 

 pale brown band across the upper portion of the breast : auriculars and sides of head same color. Tail, bill, and feet as in the 

 male. Length 5^ inches. 



