C0UE8 ON BIRDS OF DAKOTA AND MONTANA. 



595 



phrys, bat such was the case, as shown beyond question by some of the 

 specimens taken with perfect head-dress. In the Eocky Mountains, this 

 variety was of course to be expected. In the latter region, specimens 

 were procured in August, probably bred in the vicinity, as no migration 

 had then begun ; but in the rest of the country explored, no Zonotrichice 

 were seen unti-l the coming of the fall birds, when they became at once 

 abundant in the shrubbery of the streams, about the middle of Sep- 

 tember. 



List of specimejis. 



MELOSPIZA LlNCOLm, {Aud.) Bd. 



Lincoln's Finch. 



Observed in large numbers during the latter part of September and 

 beginning of October, along the Mouse Eiver. It arrived from the north 

 at the same time that the Snowbirds and Zonotrichiw did, and during 

 the summer was only observed in the Eocky Mountains late in August. 

 It is a species of general distribution in North America, but it may be 

 questioned whether it breeds anywhere in this latitude except in the 

 Eocky Mountains. As observed along Mouse Eiver, it was a shy and. 

 secretive bird, spending its time near the ground in the tangle along 

 the river-bottom, and plunging into the thickest retreats upon slight 

 alarm, with a low, rapid, jerky flight. The only note I heard was a 

 slight chirp. Altogether its habits appear to most closely resemble 

 those of the Swamp Sparrow, to which it is so nearly related in physi- 

 cal characters. 



