LARK SPARROW. 



lark finch. 



Chondestes grammacus. 



Char. Above, grayish olive ; the back brown, with fine streaks of 

 black; tail black, — excepting central feathers, — tipped with white, outer 

 web of outer pair entirely white ; crown chestnut, with median line of 

 dull white; line over the eye dull white; white crescent under the eyes 

 bordered by black, and behind by chestnut; below white tinged with 

 brown ; breast with patch of black. Length 6 to 6>^ inches. 



Nest. Usually amid a tuft of grass, but sometimes in a tree or bush; 

 composed of grass and vegetable fibre. 



Eggs. 3-5 (usually 4) ; white or with blue or buff tint, marked with 

 spots and lines of dark brown or black ; 0.85 X 0.65. 



For this species we are again indebted to Mr. Say, who ob- 

 served it in abundance near the Council Bluffs and the neigh- 

 boring country of the Missouri in the spring, as well as in the 

 month of June. It appears to be wholly confined to the west 

 side of the Mississippi, and probably extends into Mexico. 

 These birds frequent the prairie grounds, and seldom if ever 

 alight on trees; they sing sweetly, and, like the Larks, have 

 the habit of continuing their notes while on the wing. 



Mr. Townsend observes : " This species inhabits several hun- 

 dred miles of the Platte plains in great numbers, as well as the 

 banks of the Columbia River. It generally affects the low 

 bushes of wormwood {Artemisia) , from the summit of which 



