107 



I obtained a fine specimen May 13th, 1875, at Rivcrdale, Illinois, and by 

 my notes I see that a second specimen was observed the 21st of the 

 same month near where the first was obtained. The specimen in my 

 possession was flushed from a small depression in the prairie near the 

 Calumet river, where the moisture had caused an early growth of 

 coarse grass, about three inches in height. After darting off in an 

 erratic course a few rods, it suddenly turned, and alighting ran rapidly 

 through the grass, from which it was with difficulty started again and 

 secured. 



100. A. passerinus Bcnap. YELLOW-WINGED SPAUUOW. One 

 of our most abundant summer residents. Found everywhere in fields 

 and on prairies, from the middle of May until first of September. 



101. A. caudacutus var. nelsoni Allen* NELSON'S SHARP- 

 TAILED FINCH. First obtained September 17th, 1874, in the Calumet 

 Marsh, where it was abundant at the time. The .12th of June, 1875, I 

 saw several of these birds in the dense grass bordering Calumet Lake, 

 where they were undoubtedly breeding. The first of October, 1875, I 

 again found them abundant on the Calumet Marsh, and also found 

 them numerous in the wild rice bordering Grass Lake, Lake County, 

 Illinois, the 10th of November the same year. Prof. S. A. Forbes 

 has taken them on the Illinois River during the migrations, and Dr. 

 Hoy has obtained a single specimen at Racine. From the numbers 

 which visit us in fall, they must breed. in abundance north of this 

 state. They are difficult to obtain as they take refuge in the dense 

 marsh grass upon the first alarm. Occasionally one mounts a tall 

 reed and utters a short unmusical song, slightly resembling that of the 

 Swamp Sparrow (M. palustris}. 



Genus Chondestes Sw. 



102. C. grammaca B<mnp. LARK Fixcu. A common summer 

 resident. Arrives the last of April or first of May, nesting the last of 

 this month; departs August 25th to September lOlh. Frequents bar- 

 ren fields and borders of prairies containing a sparse growth of small 

 trees and rank weeds. Its nest is generally placed at the foot of some 

 rank weed in a bare piece of ground. My observations regarding the 

 song and general habits of the species, coincide with those of Mr. 

 Ridgway as given in North American Birds (Vol. I, p. 5G4). 



Genus Zonotrichia Sw. 



103. Z. leucophrys Sic. WIUTE-CUOW.N-ED SPARIJOW. Common 

 migrant: March 20th to May 15th, and September 20th to October 

 25th. Frequents borders of cultivated fields and hedges. 



103^. Var. intermedia fiidtj. The 20th of April, 1871, a specimen 

 of this form was obtained near Racine by Dr. Hoy. The specimen 



