BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 309 
POOUETES GRAMINEUS (GMELIN). (540.) 
VESPER SPARROW. 
So common is this species that from the time of its arrival 
until its departure it will be seen almost anywhere one may go 
along the highways where there are fences or frills of low 
bushes. In driving from my residence in the city to my cot- 
tage on Lake Minnetonka, a distance of fifteen miles, I have 
seen over one hundred and fifty males in the time of incubation 
when the females were confined to their nests. 
I think other similar highways would show relatively as 
great a number. 
This species has greatly increased with the settling up of 
the country, as is the case with many others, the productions 
of agriculture affording so much more abundant food. Its 
habit of running considerable distances in front of the horse 
one is driving, and when forced to wing flits a short distance 
and again lights in the dusty road, is one that will compel its 
recognition as no other of its family does. 
It uniformly arrives at this place about April 20th; in Fill- 
more county and westward into Pipestone, about ten days 
earlier It may be well to note here that the thermal lines 
deflect much more northward after entering the southern por- 
tion of the State, a fact rather indefinitely evident in the 
migration of some species of birds, as well as the records of the 
signal service; and a bold line about one degree south of Min- 
neapolis, is evident to any observing person in travelling by 
rail in that direction. It takes about five to ten days for the 
van of bird-migration to ride over this thermal barrier. Ina 
close correspondence with several gentlemen residing in the 
southern tier of counties, who are interested in the study of 
the habits of birds, I have found this fact to be assured. 
Strange as it may seem, with less positive proof, there seems 
to be another similar line at a little greater distance north of 
this city where all is reversed again, so that I am now sur- 
prised to find migrants of the spring in Grant, or even Otter 
Tail counties as early as here. The nest of this species does 
not very materially differ from that of Savanna except in being 
concealed less than that more cautious species, and not quite 
so select materials used. The eggs, four or five in number, 
are a dull white thickly spattered with reddish-brown and 
lilac, but they vary considerably in the intensity of coloration. 
