Egberts and Benner on the Ornitliology of Minnesota. 15 



24. Spizella pallida, {Sn\) Bp. Clay-colored Sparrow. — 

 Common at Brown's A'alley. They frequented specially a small area 

 once cultivated, on which there had sprung up a dense growth of low 

 bushes and weeds. 



25. Calamospiza bicolor, {Towm.) Bp. Lark Bunting. — A single 

 male of this species was shot on the railroad track a short distance above 

 Herman, and, although diligent search was made for its mate, she could 

 not be found. On the way to Brown's Valley, on the top of tlie high 

 coteaux which rise abruptly from the prairie and border the shores of Lake 

 Traverse, we encountered these birds again, where a pair was taken, the 

 female having eggs aboutto be laid. They were quite common all along the 

 edge of these bluffs, especially where it was at all stony, and frequented 

 the neighboring " breakings " on the prairie for food. They would follow 

 the ploughs to pick up insects, etc., but were very wary and difficult of 

 approach. In fact, it was almost impossible to shoot them. In the Valley 

 none were seen. 



26. Euspiza americana, (Gm.) Bp. Black-throated Bunting. — 

 Abundant everywhere, showing a decided partiality for the neighborhood 

 of wheat-fields. 



27. Dolichonyx oryzivoriis, {Linn.) S'ei'.^ Bobolink. — Abundant. 

 Nest and six fresh eggs taken, June 10. 



28. Melothrus ater, (Bodd.) Graj/. Cowbikd. — Common. 



29. Agelaeus phceniceus, (Linn.) Vieill. Red-winged Blackbird. 

 — Common. 



30. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, (Bp.) Bd. Yellow-headed 

 Blackbird. — Very common. This and the above species Avere seen in 

 considerable flocks at the Valley on June 17. 



31. Sturnella magna neglecta, (Aud.) Allen. Western Meadow 

 Lark. — Common ; young nearly fledged found in nest, June 10. 



32. Icterus spurius, (Linn.) Bp. Orchard Oriole. — Common. 

 Fresh eggs taken at Valley, June 1 7. 



33. Quiscalus ptirpureus aeneus, (Bartr.) Ridgicay. Crow Black- 

 bird. — Common. Fresh eggs of second brood taken, June 7. 



34. Tyrannus carolinensis, (Z.) Bd. King-bird. — Very abundant, 

 especially at Brown's Valley, where over twenty-five nests were found on 

 June 17, all containing full sets of perfectly fresh eggs. The nests here 

 were often found in small bushes or on low limbs ; one was not more than 

 eighteen inches from the ground. 



35. Tyrannus verticalis, Say. Ahkansas Flycatcher. — The first 

 notice of this bird was near a small post-office called Pleasant Hill, on the 

 borders of Lake Traverse. It was sitting on a fence near a group of oak- 

 trees in a gully running down to the lake. It was shot, and proved to be a 

 female. No more were seen until we searched the strip of woods along 

 the Minnesota River at the Valley, where we discovered two pairs nest- 

 ing in company with many of the preceding species. The nests were in 



