No.l.\ M'CHESNEY ON BIRDS OF DAKOTA. 79 



streaked Tvitli Ijlack; cro"wii \vitli a. middle and lateral light stripe; ■\viugs aud tail 

 blackisli, ]>ale-edged; bill brown. The male changing shows confused characters of 

 both sexes. Length, 6^-7^ inches ; wing 3^4 ; tail 2-1-3 inches. 



The Eeecl-bird forms a delicate morsel for the table, and is generally 

 distribnted over Dakota. 



At Fort Sisseton it arrives May 19, and remains nntH about July 24. 

 Is found in considerable numbers scattered all over the " Coteau des 

 Prairies," where it breeds, and soon after takes its departure. The Bo- 

 bohnk is in prune condition for the table on its arrival, and is justly 

 esteemed a delicate morsel. 



MoLOTHRUS ATER, (Gm.) Gr. — CowUrd. 

 Is seen from April 17 until October 28 in large numbers. 



AaEL^us PHOSNiCEUS, (L.) V. — Eed-winged Blackhird. 



Arrives about April 17 and remains untd October 28 ; is quite common 

 around the Roughs and moist places, where it also breeds. 



Xanthocephaltjs icterocephalus, (Bp.) Bd. — Yelloio-headed Blaclc- 

 hird. 

 Arrives April 20, to remain until September 28 ; is found in large 

 numbers. It will be observed that this bird arrives a little later and 

 takes its departure long before the other Blackbirds do. 

 The specimens measure as follows : 



No. 629, ^, 17.00 X 10.25; wing 5.65; tail 4.27; tarsus 1.30 ; bill 0.80. 

 No. 630, ^, 16.75 X 10.25 ; wing 5.25; tail 3.90 ; bill 0.S5. 



Sturnella magna neglecta, (Aud.) All. — Western Field LarJc. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



Prevailing gronnd-color gray ; each feather of back and neck blackish, with terminal' 

 reddish-brown area and sharp brownish-yellow borders; crown streaked with black 

 and brown, with a pale middle stripe; behind the eye is a blackish line, and over the 

 eye is a pale stripe ; several outer tail-feathers white ; edge of wing, spot over eye, and 

 under parts generally bright yellow ; the sides flaxen-brown, with sharp blackish 

 streaks ; the breast with a large black crescent, which is obscure in the young. Length 

 10-11 inches; wing 5; 9 a trifle smaller. 



This is one of the earliest of our spring arrivals, making its appearance 

 usually about April 13 ; it varies with the opening of spring, of which 

 event, anxiously looked forward to by aU as the relief from our long- 

 winter's confinement to closed houses and heated rooms, it is the sure 

 harbinger. Yery common ; breeds here, and takes its departure about the 

 middle of October. 



Icterus spurius, (L.) Bp.— OrcAarcZ Oriole. 



Arrives usually by the 22d of May, and in considerable numbers ; 

 breeds in the woods, all over the Coteau, and departs about September 1. 



