C. IT. Merriam Birds of Connecticut. 37 



87. PooeceteS gramineUS (Gmelin) Baird. Bay-winged Bunting ; Grass 

 Finch. 



A common summer resident, breeding abundantly, like the last, in 

 open fields. Arrives early in April (April 6, 1875 and same date 

 1877, Sage) ; remaining till about the middle of November. 



88. CotTirniculllS passerimiS (Wilson) Bonaparte. Yellow-winged 

 Sparrow. 



A common summer resident in some parts of Connecticut (notably 

 in the Connecticut Valley and along our southern border) ; not found 

 at all in others. Arrives early in May. Frequents dry, sandy, treeless 

 wastes. Linsley found it breeding here and at Stratford. " In the 

 vicinity of Hartford, Conn., this bird appears also to be a not uncom- 

 mon summer resident."* Mr. Purdie states that " at Saybrook, 

 Conn., its notes were to be heard in every field/'f I have taken it 

 near Savin Rock (May 29, 1877), and Mr. Grinnell tells me it is not 

 uncommon about Milford, Conn. It also breeds about Portland, 

 Conn. (Coe and Sage). I am informed by Messrs. Grinnell and Clark 

 that it builds a beautiful covered nest, not unlike that of the Oven 

 Bird (Siurus auricapillus). Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me that he 

 has taken it at Enfield, Conn., in the northern part of the State, but 

 in the Connecticut Valley, in July (July 6, 1874). 



89. CotumiCTlhlS Henslowi (Audubon) Bonaparte. Henslow's Sparrow. 



A rare summer resident. I am very glad to be able to include this 

 species on the strength of a specimen just received from my friend 

 Dr. F. W. Hall. He shot it at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Conn., 

 July 18th, 1873, and it is in the worn breeding plumage. I had 

 searched in vain for it in the many collections of the birds of this 

 State to which I have had access, and had really despaired of finding 

 it at all. Many specimens have been taken in Massachusetts and it 

 doubtless occurs regularly in the Connecticut Valley, if not in other 

 parts of the State. Giraud says that on Long Island ' it is not so 

 rare as is generally supposed. In general, it frequents the low, wet 

 meadows, and passes most of its time on the ground among the tall 

 grass, and is exceedingly difficult to flush, even when pursued with 

 dogs ; it will not fly until nearly within their reach, when it starts 

 from the ground, moves on only a few yards, and again drops among 

 the grass."J 



* Baird, Brewer and Bidgway, vol. i, p. 554. 



f Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 17. January, 1877. 



t Giraud's Birds of Long Island, p. 104. 1844. 



