BLACK-THEOATED BUNTING. 345 



single males first appear, but usually the fields which were comparatively 

 silent the day before, are filled with the monotonous notes of many birds. 

 The females arrive a few days later, when pairing and breeding immedi- 

 ately begins. Two or three males pursue a female about the fields, as is 

 the habit of the Bobolinks, singing as they fly. The female sometimes 

 tires of this rapid courtship, and seeks refuge arid rest in woodland. 

 From the time of their arrival till the young are well fledged, the male, 

 perched on the top of a stump, tall weed, or fence stake, sings his chip, 

 chip, che, che, che, che, which Dr. Coues interprets as "Look! look! see me 

 here! see," with wearisome monotony. Only occasionally some more 

 talented vocalist conceives the happy idea of a variation, and renders it 

 che, che, che, chip, chip. This is their only song, but sometimes when flying 

 they utter a coarse guttural croak. 



The nest is usually placed on the ground, but sometimes attached to 

 the stems of tall weeds, or more rarely in trees and bushes. When placed 

 on the ground it is composed for the most part of dead stalks of clover, 

 and is so inartistic and fragile that it can with difficulty be taken up en- 

 tire. When placed above the ground, it is comparatively neat and com- 

 pact, and built of. vegetable fibres. The eggs are generally four, light- 

 blue, unspotted, and almost exactly like those of the Bluebird. They 

 measure .90 by .70. 



After the breeding season they are silent, and in August prepare to leave 

 for the South. As in spring, their migrations are performed by night. 

 Their coarse note is often heard as they fly over-head. Early in foggy 

 September mornings these notes are frequently heard, and the birds seen 

 as they descend tp feed and rest in the thickets of young willows and 

 wild cucumbers that cover the gravelly islands and low banks of our 

 rivers. From the fact that I have never taken September birds with, 

 black on the throat, I am inclined to believe that in their winter plum- 

 age it is wanting. (?) 



In their habits they seem to form a connecting link, if any were 

 needed, between the families of Fringillidie and Icteridse, and their resem- 

 blance to the latter family is further seen in their smooth, short, and 

 dense plumage. 



Genus GONIAPHEA. Bowditch. 



. Bill very large, nearly as high as long ; the commissure conspicuously angulated just 

 below the nostril. Lower jaw extending much behind the forehead. Eiotus with a few 

 long stiflf bristles. A prominent knob in the roof of the month. Wings long, longer 

 than the even tail, reaching to its middle. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. Outer lat- 

 eral toe a little longer than inner. 



