984 KEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



RANGE. America, from Colombia over the eastern United States 

 to Massachusetts, Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota. 

 Eare east of the Alleghanies. Breeds throughout its United States 

 range. Winters south of United States. 



Nest, on ground or in bush, of leaves, grass, rootlets and weed 

 stalks, lined with grasses and hair. Eggs, 3-5; pale blue; .80 by .60. 



In most localities the Dickcissel is an abundant summer resident. 

 However, it is a recent introduction into our fauna. Mr. E. J. Chans- 

 ler says he can remember when it was rare in Knox County, where its 

 numbers now are perhaps exceeded by no other bird. It appeared in 

 Franklin County some time between 1869 and 1879. While it has be- 

 come abundant there, in the upland meadows, it is quite uncommon in 

 the valleys of streams and on the rougher land. As is to be supposed, 

 it is rare in the more heavily timbered portion of southern Indiana. 

 In 1886, Prof. B. W. Evermann noted it was becoming more com- 

 mon in Carroll County each year. Mrs. Jane L. Hine first observed 

 them at Sedan, Dekalb County, in 1887, and Mr. J. P. Feagler, at 

 Waterloo, in 1894. They are still rare there. In the spring of 1887 

 I found it rare in the parts of Cook County, 111., that I visited. It is 

 now said to be locally common there. Dr. Gibbs says (1893) it was not 

 known in Michigan twenty years ago (Cook, Birds of Mich., p. 118). 

 In 1894 Mr. L. Whitney Watkins notes that it only appeared at Man- 

 chester, Mich., within the last few years. Mr. T. L. Hankinson noted 

 that it appeared for the first time at Agricultural College, Mich., the 

 spring of 1896. Prof. E. E. Fish, of Buffalo, N. Y., informed me that 

 in 1891 it was more numerous than any other species of bird about 

 Logansport, Ind. 



Some early and late dates of first spring appearances are given: 

 Brookville, April 19, 1887, May 10, 1886; Bicknell, April 20, 1894, 

 May 13, 1896; Bloomington, April 28, 1893, May 4, 1895; Green- 

 castle, April 29, 1893, May 5, 1896; Lafayette, April 27, 1896, May 

 13, 1893; Waterloo, April 30, 1897, May 10, 1896; Plymouth, Mich., 

 May 1, 1895, May 3, 1891; Chicago, 111., May 4, 1895, May 16, 1897. 



They are associated in my mind with the Grasshopper Sparrow. 

 They arrive about the same time, frequent similar places, the period 

 of singing is about the same, and they depart together. In the south- 

 ern part of the State they are often mated when they arrive. The 

 site for a home is at once chosen and work upon the structure is 

 begun. The bird is adapting itself to conditions. In the more open 

 regions it nests upon the ground, frequently in a clover field or 

 meadow. Other places, it builds in clumps of weeds a little distance 

 off the ground. Dr. Hoy, of Racine, Wis., never found a nest in that 



