BIRDS OF KANSAS. 447 



Iris brown; bill dark brown, pale beneath; legs and feet light 

 brown; claws brown. 



This species inhabits the grassy fields and prairies. It is 

 closely related to the Grasshopper Sparrow, and does not appear 

 to differ from it in habits or actions. I have had but little op- 

 portunity to observe these birds. Mr. Maynard, in his ' ' Birds of 

 Eastern North America," says: 



"Henslow's Bunting (Sparrow) is far from being common 

 anywhere in our section, as it is exceedingly local in distribu- 

 tion; and it is fond of grassy meadows, breeding in them. The 

 song is peculiar, consisting of two syllables, sounding like "See- 

 wick," the first being dwelt upon, and the second given quickly, 

 and both uttered in a shrill, grasshopper-like tone. This little 

 Sparrow is retiring in habits, and if startled from the tall grass 

 to which it retreats when alarmed, will rise quickly, fly with a 

 very eccentric movement a short distance, and again seek con- 

 cealment." 



The following description of its nest and eggs is by Mr. Da- 

 vie, in his "Nests and Eggs of North American Birds:" 



"Mr. L. Jones informs me that in Iowa the favorite resorts 

 of this Sparrow during the breeding season are neglected fields 

 and pasture lands. Its nest is placed on the ground, sometimes 

 in a slight depression beneath a tussock of grass; the composi- 

 tion is of fine and coarse grasses, with a few cow hairs. The 

 eggs, Mr. Jones says, are deposited about May 25th. The bird- s 

 habits, nests and eggs are described as being similar to those of 

 the Yellow-winged Sparrow (A. savannarum passerinm), but the 

 eggs are not pure white in ground color, having a greenish or 

 grayish white tint, profusely dotted and blotched with several 

 shades of brown and lilac shell markings. They are four or 

 five in number, and average .75x. 57." 



Ammodramus leconteii (AUD.). 



LECONTB'S SPARROW. 

 PLATE XXVII. 



Migratory; common. Arrive in April; return in October; 

 a few occasionally winter in the southern part of the State. 



B. 340. R. 200. C. 237; G. 100, 220. U. 548. 



