546 



XOPTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 







l^for.T' .': v:^n>ii!it> !i% 



fintul ; the i^eneml nj^poarance, liowever, is not diffiTont from tho adult. Some- 

 times there is a decided ciiiiKiinon wash beneatli. Western speeimens (var. 

 roiijinix) appear to be paler, with loii^^er wings, and longer and mcjre slender 

 bills, in this respect resembling other Findies (^Mc/osjuza , Pd-^^iicrculus, etc.). 



All specimens from west of the liocky Mountains are to be referred to 

 var. ronjinis. 



Haiuts. The liay-winged or CJrass Finch is a very abundant species 



wherever found, and has a very ex- 

 tended distribution. Accepting as 

 one species the slightly variant 

 races above indicated, this bird 

 extends from Florida and ^lexico, 

 n the south, to the oTtli parallel 

 of latitude, and from tlie eastern to 

 the western shores. It was found by 

 liichardson frequenting the plains 

 of the Saskatchewan, where it ar- 

 rives early in May and leaves in 

 September, and where it nests 

 abundantly in the short withered gmss of that sterile region. Richardson 

 did not trace it farther north than the 57th parallel, and it was not obtained 

 on the Yukon or Andei-son Itivers by Mr. MacFarlane or Mr. Lockhart. It 

 breeds from Northern Virginia north. 



In the Middle States it is partially resident, a portion remaining all the 

 winter. South of Washington it is chiefly migratory, only found, in any 

 nund)ers, from Xovend)er to March, and probably but tew remaining to breed. 

 Audubon states that lie never saw any of this species in any portion of Lou- 

 isiana, Missouri, Kentucky, or Ohio. Mr. Dresser, on the other hand, found 

 them common al)out San Antonio in August and September, and also in May 

 and June, and had no doubt that some remain to breed. 



It is very abundant throughout Xew England, arriving in some seasons as 

 early as March 11, and remaining until cpiite late in the l^ill, often through 

 XovemV)er. It is found chiefly in dry open fields and pastures, where it 

 nests, with no pains at concealment, on the ground, in depressions made by 

 its own work. It is an unsuspicious and fearless species, neitlier seeking 

 nor avoiding the companionship of man. It does not usually build near 

 houses, yet is not unfrecpiently known to do so. It may be often found 

 perched on fences along the roadside, chanting its simple and pleasing lay, 

 and quite as frecpiently in the road feeding and dusting itself. The latter 

 operation it is very fond of practising, and almost any day in the summer 

 these birds may be found in such situations. 



West of the Great Tlains is found a marked variety of this species, differ- 

 ing in many respects from tlie eastern. The western species or race of this 

 Finch, Mr. Kidgway states, is an abundant summer bird in all the elevated 



