664 



BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



Like the Golden Warbler (D. cestiva), as soon as alarmed, it daitel 

 through the shrubbery, often completely evading pursuit. 



As the brooding birds would not return until the vicinity was free from 

 any intruder, search for their nests was in general unsuccessful. 



Spizella PALLIDA BREWERi, (Cass.) Coucs. — Brewerh Sparrow. 



Frequently seen, especially in those portions of prairie land that sloped 

 down to streams that were tributary to Red River, and in the caiion 

 bottom of that river itself. 



OaoNDESTES GRAMMACA, (Say) Bp. — LarTi Finch. 



Both along the prairies of Kansas and Indian Territory and on that 

 arid waste, the Staked Plain, this sweet singer was not uncommon. 



The nests were upon the ground, built more for comfort than for re- 

 sistance to the winds that would test its firmness if placed aloft ; the 

 lower parts were coarse grasses, rootlets and dried leaves, whilst the 

 eggs rested upon a soft cushion of buffalo-wool, fine hair and rootlets. 

 One was in an open prairie situation, but to conceal it the birds had 

 placed it beneath a huge buffalo hip-bone, entering by a small opening. 

 In nest No. 24 was found an egg of the Cowbird [Molothrus ater of 

 Gray, after BoddaertJ. Their markings are odd and curious — nearer 

 than any other perhaps to Chinese characters; they varied in color from 

 a rich chocolate to dark sepia. 



