270 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



In cultivated hay fields, the nesting ground of most of the true 

 meadow birds, the principal species of plants are timothy (Phleum 

 pratense), red top (Agrostis alba), tall fescue grass (Festuca 

 elatior), meadow grass, (Poa pratensis), and pink clover (Tri- 

 folium pratense). Under wild or partially cultivated conditions, 

 many species of weeds and other grasses occur. The commonest 

 of these, in order of abundance are white weed (Chrysanthemum 

 Leucanthemum) , milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) , black-eyed susan 

 (Rudbeckia hirta), daisy fleabane (Erigeron ramosus), St. John's- 

 wort {Hypericum perforatum), early goldenrod (Solidago jun- 

 cea), buttercup (Ranunculus acris), velvet grass (Holcus lana- 

 tus), mallow (Malva moschata), self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), 

 goldenrods (Solidago patula, S. lanceolata and S. rugosa), Canada 

 thistle (Carduus arvense), evening primrose (CEnothera biennis), 

 clovers (Trifolium re pens and T. hybridum), orange hawkweed 

 (Hieracium aurantiacum) , and quack grass (Agropyron repens). 



The drier hillsides that are clothed with grasses show other species, 

 poverty grass (Aristida dichotoma) and wild oat grass (Danthonia 

 spicata) being the common grasses, and such weeds as cinquefoil 

 (Potentilla canadensis) and hop clover (Trifolium procumbens) 

 becoming common. Such areas have little bird life, only the Vesper 

 Sparrow among the meadow birds occurring in them commonly. 

 Probably the Prairie Horned Lark prefers such areas, but it is 

 decidedly rare in the Park. Where rock outcrops occur on such 

 open hillsides the Nighthawks will probably be found nesting. 



In addition to the birds listed below, the following species will 

 sometimes be found either feeding or nesting in open meadows and 

 fields : Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Sparrow 

 Hawk, Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Grackle, Starling, all the 

 swallows, Robin and Bluebird. 



Vesper Sparrow. Pocecetes gramineus gramineus (Gmel.) 



The Vesper Sparrow is of about the same size as the English 

 Sparrow. It is best distinguished in flight by the white outer tail 

 feathers. When perching, the stripes on the throat and breast, 

 the bay-colored patch on the shoulders, and the wing bars help to 

 distinguish it. 



The Vesper Sparrow lives in the open meadows and grain fields. 

 It is quite common in all such places in the Park area. More than 

 most of the meadow- birds, it extends its range up to the grassy 

 hillsides that have been cleared of their original forest for pasture 

 land. It is less common here, however, than in the broad, flat 

 meadowlands of the valleys. 



The bird feeds on the ground and walks rather rapidly. It may 

 often be seen in the middle of a road. It commonly perches on 

 trees, posts and wires, and usually chooses such places to sing. 



Its call notes are not markedly different from those of other 

 sparrows. Its song is sweet and clear, and a little like the Song 

 Sparrow's in form. Many beginners overlook this bird simply be- 



