552 NOKTII AMKfilCAN BIRDS. 



the C. passrrinifs. Their ^'r(Mui(l-c(»h)r is a clear hrij^lit wliite, and they are 

 spotted with will-defined reddish-ltiown markings, and more subdued tints 

 uf purple. Tlie marking.'^, so far as I have seen their eggs, are finer and 

 fewer than those of 6'.^)</.s,>rrm</.s', and are distributed more exclusively around 

 the larger end. The e^^^^s measure .7<S liy .GU of an inch, and are of a more 

 oblonu-oval than those of the common Vellow-Win<r. 



Coturniculus lecontei, Bonap. 



LECONTFS BUNTING. 



Emhcriza Iccoutci, Ai'P. Rinls Am. VII, 1S43, 338, pi. cccclxxxviii. - Max. C'al>. Jour. VI, 

 1858,340. Coturiikiilus lecontei, 13oN, C'ouspcftus, 1850, 481. — li.\ii:L», Birds N. Am. 

 1858, 45-2. 



Sp. Char. Bill much inoro slender than in C. Jienslowi. First quill the lonjrest, the rest 

 diniiuishintr rapidly. Tail eniarginate and roun<led, with the leathers acute. Upper parts 

 litrht yellowish-rod, streaked with brownish-black; the margins of the feathers and 

 scapulars pale ydlowish-white. Tail-feathers dusky, margined with light-yellowi.sh. 

 Lower i)arts, with the cheeks and a broad band over the eyes, fine buff. Medial line 

 vellowi.«;li anteriorly, nearlv whitt; behind. The bull" extendini? to the femorals and alonsr 

 the sides, streaked with brownish-black. Throat, neck, and upper parts of the breast, 

 without any streaks, and plain bull". Length, 4.40: wing, 2.13; bill along ridge, .37; 

 edge. .50. Legs tlesh-color ; bill dark blue. 



Hak. Mouth of Yellowstone, to Texas. 



Since the regret expressed in the Birds of North America (1858) at the 

 loss of the single si)ecimen known of this species, another has been received 

 by the Smithsonian Institution from Washington Co., Texas, collected by 

 Dr. Lincecum. It is in very poor condition, having been skinned for an 

 alcoholic preparation, and does not admit of a satisfactory description of the 

 colors. In its uiisi)otted breast, the rufous feathers of the hind neck, the 

 absence of maxillary stripes, and apparently in the markings of the wings, it 

 is most like C. passcriaus. Although the inner tail-feathers have the narrow 

 stripe of hcnslowi, the bill is much smaller, as stated by Audubon, than in 

 the others, and is apparently bluish, not yellow. The vertical stripe is 

 deep buff anteriorly, and pale ashy posteriorly, instead of buff throughout, 

 and the superciliary stripe is continuously buff, instead of yellow anterior to, 

 and ashy behind, the eye. In the comparative length of wing and tail, it is 

 most nearlv related to hcnshvi, but the bill is verv much narrower than in 

 either. LTpon the whole, there can be no doubt of its actual specific distinct- 

 ness from both its allies. 



Habits. Leconte's Sharp-tailed Sparrow was procured ])y Audubon in 

 his expedition to the Yellow'stone. He speaks of its having very curious 

 notes, which he describes as of a sharp, querulous nature, and a general habit 

 of keeping only among the long, slender green grasses that here and there 

 grew up in patches along the mai-gins of the creeks. So closely did it keep 



