308 



OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



gar- ticks (Bidcns frondosa]. The fact that it feer's upon the last named wcu'd be, if 

 extensively the case, sufficient reason for carefully protecting the Goldfinch ; since this 

 weed, especially on the bottom-lands, is exceedingly abundant and troublesome. 



In this locality the American Goldfinch usually begins singing early in April, 

 and continues in song until O .tober, having been heard as late as October 19 (1892). 

 The latest date of singing mentioned by Mr. Bicknell 1 is August 30. 



GENUS PLECTROPHENAX STEJNEGER. 



110. Plectrophenax nivalis (LINN.). 

 Snowflake; Snow Bunting. 



A winter visitor ; apparently not present during very mild winters, though irreg- 

 ularly common irr severe weather. It has been observed only in January and Feb- 

 ruary, and not later than the twenty-fifth of the latter month. It occurs chiefly in 

 flocks, occasionally in company with Horned Larks, and frequents both the uplands 

 and the bottoms. A company of 125 Snowflakes was seen near Wooster, along the 

 Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago R. R., February 25, 1893. The birds were 

 very tame, and were apparently engaged in picking up small bits of cinders from 

 the track. 



GENUS POOC-ffiTES BAIRD. 



111. Poocaetes gramineus (GMEL.). 

 Vesper Sparrow; Grass Finch. 



An abundant summer resident. It arrives not later than April 5, sometimes bv 

 March 18, and has been observed to remain until November n (1890). 



It is to be found chiefly, though not exclusively, on the uplands, moving in small 

 loose flocks during both spring and fall. 



The breeding season continues from early in May until July ; eggs having been 

 taken between the dates of May 15 and June 26, inclusive. Four eggs seem to consti- 

 tute the usual complement early in the season, but later on three is apparently a 

 much more common number. Two broods are probably reared. 



Three nests measured give the following results : 



This species sings regularly from the time of its arrival until into August; sub- 

 sequently somewhat sporadically even as late as October 18. 



lAuk I, iS8 4 , p. 329. 



