76 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. [Yol.Y. 



YBINGrlLhlDM. 



Cheysomitris tristis, (L.) Bp. — American GoMfincli. 



This beautiful little bird is quite common bere from May 25 until the 

 first week in June, when its numbers rai^idly diminish, a few, however, 

 spending the summer in this vicinity. 



Plectrophanes lapponicus, (L.) Selby. — Lapland Longspur, 

 Ai)pears Aioril 10, and remains tiU about May 25; is quite abundant. 



It does not appear in this region on its southern flight in the fall. 

 The specimens measure as follows : 



No. 606, $, 11.00 X 6.50; wing 3.51; tail 2.59. 

 No. 607, $, 11.25 X 6.63; wing 3.75; tail 2.67. 



Plectrophanes pictus, Sw. — Fainted Larlc Bunting. 



Is seen here from Ax)ril 20 until near the end of May, in large flocks 

 (from 25 to 100 birds in each). It passes south in October in company 

 with P. ornatus, and when thus migrating, I have seen immense flocks 

 of this bird. I have sat for two hours at a time on a duck-pass, some 

 twelve miles south of the post, and had an almost constant flight of these 

 birds go over me. I estimated that a thousand birds passed me every 

 minute, and thek flight appeared in no wise lessening when I dei^arted. 



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Plectrophanes ornatus, Towns. — Chestmit-coUared Bunting. 

 Is found here during the same period as B.pietus^ and in large numbers. 



Passerculus savanna, (Wils.) Bp. — Savanna Sparrow. 



Is seen from June 10 until about June 17, i)robably passing north. Is 

 not common ; does not breed in this vicinity so far as I have been able to 

 discover; but I cannot understand the reason of its presence here so late 

 in June, unless it be that it rests in the vicinity. 



POGECETES GRAMINEUS CONFINIS, Bd. — Western GrassJincJi. 



Arrives about April 17 and remains until October 18 ; is one of the 

 most abundant of our birds, and is found aU over the prairie. Breeds 

 here. I observed it off and on during the entire winter of 1877-78 in 

 sheltered places, but this was an imusual occurrence, probably accounted 

 for by the mildness of that winter, for careful search during more severe 

 winters has failed to reveal its presence here during that season. 



Melospiza palustris, (WlIs.) Bd. — Swamp Sparrow. 



Is a rare visitor to this region. On May 14, 1878, while collecting in 

 the vicinity of the post, I shot a single bird of this species. 



Melospiza meloda [*], (Wils.) Bd. — Song Sparroiv. 



Is seen for four or five days from June 10 in small numbers ; is prob- 

 er Tlie indefensible orthography "melodia" has stood long enough. There is, 



indeed, the Latin noun melodia (fj.e?Mdia) ; but the word is obviously the adjective 



inelod-us, -a, -um. — Ed.] 



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