2658 The Zoologist — April, 1871. 



collaris of Vieillol's 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de TAmerique 

 septentrionale.' It has a very extensive range in the New World; 

 Wilson says he has found it in Upper Canada and in each of the 

 United States from New Hampshire to New Orleans. Bartram 

 also informed him that the species was abundant in East Florida. 

 The favourite places of resort with these birds are pasture fields 

 and meadows, particularly the latter, which no doubt supply them 

 with the seeds and insects on which they feed. They are rarely or 

 never seen in woods, unless where the ground is covered with rich 

 grass, as in Choctaw and Chicl^asaw counties, where Wilson found 

 them in considerable numbers in May and June : the extensive 

 and luxurious prairies between Vincennes and St. Louis also 

 abound with them. 



These birds are partial migrants in the middle and southern states, 

 but probably more decidedly so in the higher northern latitudes. 

 Wilson found thera in the meadows which border the Delaware 

 and Schuylkill at all seasons of the year, even when the ground 

 was deeply covered with snow. During the month of February 

 they swarm in the rice jilantations of South Carolina and Georgia, 

 running about tlie yards and outhouses, accompanied by the kill- 

 deer plovers {M,'jialiles vociferus), as if quite domesticated. On 

 the plains of Texas, as Mr. Dresser informs me, they also occur by 

 myriads in the autumn. 



" These birds, after the building season is over, collect in flocks ; 

 but seldom fly in a close compact body: their flight is something 

 in the manner of the grouse and partridge, laborious and steady, 

 sailing and renewing the rapid action of the wings alternately. 

 When they alight on trees or bushes, it is generally on the top of 

 the highest branches, whence they send forth a long, clear and 

 somewhat melancholy note, that, in sweetness and tenderness of 

 expression, is not surpassed by any of our numerous warblers. 

 This is sometimes followed by a kind of low, rapid chattering, the 

 particular call of the female ; and again the clear and plaintive 

 strain is repeated as before. They aff"ord tolerably good amusement 

 to the sportsman, being most easily shot while on the wing, as they 

 frequently squat among the long grass, and spring withhi gunshot. 

 The nest of this species is built generally in or below a thick tuft 

 or tussock of grass : it is composed of dry grass, and fine bent laid 

 at bottom, and wound all around, leaving au arched entrance level 

 with the ground; the inside is lined with fine stalks of the same 



