206 ■ Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



end of March. They roost low down in thick scrubby bushes, 

 and even among dense weeds, near or actually on the ground. 



Peuc^ea ^stivalis illinoensis, Ridg. Oak-wood Sparrow. — 

 I made the acquaintance of this sparrow only as an autumn 

 migrant in very limited numbers, passing during the latter 

 half of September and October. They frequent the beds of 

 broomweed on the prairie, never, according to my observation, 

 being found in the wooded districts, or even in the creeks, though 

 the mesquite flats are favourite places of resort. They rarely fly, 

 unless almost trodden on, preferring to skulk among the roots of 

 the weeds, and even when roused, fly so short a distance that it 

 is difficult to shoot examples without destroying the skins ; my 

 best example was knocked down with the barrel of the gun after 

 repeated attempts to induce it to fly far enough to allow of a 

 shot. They feed entirely upon insects, and are very greedy 

 birds. I have found three grasshoppers, each of which was an 

 inch long, as well as beetles, in the stomach of a single example. 

 They very rarely alight on trees, but occasionally, when much 

 chased, perch on the branch of a mesquite. It is likely that this 

 species is not so rare as is supposed, but from its shy and retiring 

 habits, it is liable to be overlooked, especially at the reason in 

 which it is found here, when it appears to be quite silent. 



Melospiza fasciata fallax, Baird. Mountain Song Spar- 

 row, — A common winter visitor to the open districts, arriv- 

 ing about the middle of October and leaving again in April. 

 They frequent the green brier brakes along the edges of the 

 timber districts, and the patches of scrubby brush along the 

 prairie creeks, generally going in pairs or small parties, and are, 

 as a rule, impatient of observation, showing, when approached, 

 great restlessness, and continually uttering a low querulous cry 

 indicative of uneasiness. They feed principally upon the seeds 

 of various grasses and weeds, but do not refuse small insects also. 

 They rarely rise into the branches of trees, but prefer to keep 

 low down among the stems, or upon the ground beneath the 

 bushes which they haunt. 



Melospiza lincolni (Aud.) Lincoln's Finch. — This handsome 

 little sparrow is a migrant in this district, passing north in large 

 numbers from the middle of March to that of May, and frequent- 

 ing at this time the wooded creeks and borders of the timber 



