FUIXGILUD.E — THE 1-INCIlES. 



67 



In Massachusctt.'i it is extremely rare. Mr. Hopkins ibnnd it breeding in 

 AVillianistown, and sent nie its e«xgs. I have also met witii its nest and eggs, 

 in a low meadow near the sea, in llinghani. In both of these instances the 

 nest was on the ground. A specimen was shot in Xewton by Mr. John Thax- 

 ter, June 2<j, 1857, tliat had all the appearance of being then in the process 

 of incubation. Throughout Pennsylvania, and in the vicinity of Washing- 

 ton, these birds are ([uite common. 



Wilson states that they are very common in the vicinity of IMiiladelphia, 

 where they make their aj)pearance in the middle of May, and where they 

 seem to preft?r level fields covered with rye-grass, clover, or timothy. They 

 are described as more conspicuous for the quantity than lor the tpiality of 

 their song. This consists of three notes, sounding like chip-ch ip-ihe-( he-the. 

 Of this unmusical ditty they are by no means ])arsimonious, and for nearly 

 three months after their fii-st arrival, every level field of grain or grass re- 

 sounds with their quaint serenade. In their shape and manners, Wilson 

 states, they bear a close resemblance to the Umhcriza citrineUa of Europe. 

 They become silent by September, and in the course of that month depart 

 for the soutliwest. It is a rare bird in South Carolina, but is very abundant 

 in Texas, where it is also resident, and undoubtedly breeds. Audubon states 

 that he was surprised to see how numerous they were in every 0})en piece of 

 ground throughout that State, especially those covered with tufts of grass. 

 They are, he states, not so common m Ohio, and (^uite rare in Kentucky. 

 They are especially abundant in the open lands of Indiana, Illinois, Wiscon- 

 sin, Iowa, ^lissouri, Kansas, and Nebraska : and they have been found breed- 

 ing as far to the west as Wyoming Territory, near to the base of the eastern 

 range of the Eocky Mountains. Mr. Allen found this species one of the 

 most abundant birds of Western Io\va, characterizing it as eminently a prai- 

 rie species, and one of the few inl abitants of the wide open stretches. 



Mr. Dresser found, early in May, nmnbers of these birrls in the mesquite 

 thickets near the San Antonio and Medina Iiivers, and, as he found them 

 equally numerous there in July, he naturally infers that they breed in that 

 neighborhood. Dr. Heermann o^)tained some eggs "which he had no doubt 

 belonged to this species, though he was unable to secure the parent. 



It has also been found in Western Texas a^.d in the Indian Territory by 

 Mr. J. H. Clark, in Texas by Dr. Lincecum, at the Kiowa agency by Dr. 

 Palmer, and on the Yellowstone by Dr. Hayden. 



This bird is not gregarious, always moving in pairs, and althougli, as they 

 are preparing for their migrations, they congregate in particular localities, 

 they always keep somewhat apart in family groups, and do not mingle pro- 

 miscuously as do many others of this family. They are, at all times, unsus- 

 picious and easily a})proached, and when fired at will often return to the 

 same field from which they were startled. T'iey are very partial to certain 

 localities, and are rarely to be met with in sandy regions. 



Mr. Audubon states that the notes of this species very closely resemble 



