378 . FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



similar to adult female, but more buffy, feathers of lower parts bordered 

 with buffy white, streaks on lower parts narrower. Male : length (skins) 

 6.10-7.25, wing 8.35-3.62, tail 2.58-2.80, bill .52-.5S. Female: length 

 (skins) 5.70-6.50, wing 3.22-3.35, tail 2.38-2.70, bill .50-.52. 



Distribution. Breeds in Upper Sonoran and Transition zones of the 

 high plains from Assiniboia south to Colorado ajid Kansas ; migrates 

 through New Mexico, Arizona, and southern and Lower California to 

 plateau of Mexico ; occasional west of Rocky Mountains, and accidental 

 in Atlantic states in migration. 



Nest. Sunk in ground, sometimes under a bunch of weeds, made of 

 grass and fine roots. Eggs : 4 or 5, plain pale blue. 



The striking black and white of the lark bunting probably ac- 

 counts for its shyness. While in southern Texas we could almost 

 drive alongside of a flock of dull-colored dickcissels sitting on the 

 roadside fence, but a flock of the northbound whitewings would fly 

 in instant alarm on our approach. They fed on the ground among 

 the prairie flowers, but it was hard to get near enough to observe 

 their habits, for at the least unguarded motion or footfall they 

 would arise simultaneously and dash into the brush. When not 

 disturbed they scattered through the chaparral, and, as a man aptly 

 observed, were always sitting around as if they had nothing to do. 



A flock of forty or fifty in April showed great variety of plumage, 

 for many of the males were only in process of donning their black 

 summer plumage. The young males showed the white on their 

 wings when sitting and on their tails in flight, but the dull gray 

 females showed the white wing patch only when flying. 



On the prairies, where there were neither bushes nor fences to 

 perch on, the buntings, and doves also, sat on the oval slabs of the 

 tuni cactus, and it was amusing to see the whitewings sidle gingerly 

 along the spiny edges. 



The buntings sang in chorus, and sometimes we would catch a 

 delightful wave of song from them as we drove along. On their 

 breeding grounds they are said to have a ' rich and varied flight 

 song.' 



Having met the birds on their way north in Texas one year, 

 the following year we were overtaken by them in New Mexico on 

 their way south. During the last of July the flocks were mixed 

 black and brown, but from the last of August they were mainly 

 brown. In the Guadalupe Mountains bands passed our camp every 

 day, with their soft hoo-ee, a peculiarly sweet note given with a 

 cheery, rising inflection. 



