Plate XXIX. 



EUSPIZA AMERIOANA-BlacHhroaled Bunling. 



The Black-throated Bunting Avas mentioned by Mr. Audubon, and by Dr. KirUand in 1838, as a 

 rare bird in Ohio ; but for the last twenty years, and perhaps longer, it has been one of the most abund- 

 ant summer residents of its family, equaling in numbers, at the present time, the Song Sparrow or the 

 Chippy. It arrives from the South during the first or second week in May, and remains until Septem- 

 ber, each pair ordinarily rearing but a single brood in the season. The old and young assemble in small 

 flocks a few days before the appointed time to depart, as if desirous of associating on their voyage. 



LOCALITY : 



Upland fields of grass and grain are the favorite building places of this Bunting. In Central Ohio, as 

 many as a dozen pairs often occupy a clover-field of but a few acres, and seem to take especial delight 

 in* their surroundings, and to be well pleased with each other's company. In small villages, where the 

 awus are large, it is not an infrequent resident, but in cities it is rarely seen. 



POSITION' : 



The nest is generally placed on the ground, in a slight depression, and is completely hidden by the veg- 

 etation which surrounds it. Sometimes it is placed in a bush or stunted tree, after the manner of the Song 

 Sparrow's. Judging from the number of birds observed, and the luxmber of nests found above the ground, 

 not one nest in twenty is, however, so situated. It is probable that occasionally the nest is built above 

 the ground a few inches, in the thick grass, as, Dr. Brewer, in "North-American Birds," says, is almost 

 invariably the case where the nest is upon the prairies. Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine, is quoted on the 

 same page as being confident that in Wisconsin these birds never nest upon the ground. The only nests 

 I have seen off the ground were those in bushes or young trees, and, so far as my experience goes, I be- 

 lieve there are, as a rule, but two positions common in Ohio: one upon the ground, the other from one to 

 five feet above it, in bushes or stunted trees. 



MATERIALS : 



The foundation of the nest usually consists of slender weed-stems and grasses. The superstructure 

 is of similar but finer material. The lining consists of split grass and roller-grass, to which are some- 

 times added a few long horse- or cow-hairs. Dried leaves, bits of paper, strings, or strips of corn- 

 husks are occasionally used in construction. Nests upon the ground differ from those above it only in 

 having a less quantity of materials in the foundation. Exteriorly, the structure has a ragged and unfin- 

 ished appearance, but the cavity is neatly rounded and evenly concave. The diameter of the nest 

 measures about four and one-half inches. The diameter of the cavity varies from two and one-fourth 

 to two and three-fourths: average about two and one-half. The depth of cavity varies from one and 

 three-fourths to two and three-eighths : average about two inches. 



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