North American Birds Eggs. 



277 



602. Morellet Seed-eater. SjKinijihila niorrlkti. 



Range. — Eastern Mexico, breeding north to the Lower Ri(j Grande Valley in 

 Texas. 



This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5 inches in length, 

 and in plumage is black, white and gra.y. In restricted locali- 

 ties in southern Texas, they are not uncommon during the sum- 

 mer months. They build in bushes or young trees at low eleva- 

 tions making their nests of hue grasses or fibres, firmly woven 

 together and usually placed in an upright crotch. The eggs are , ^ . 

 pale greenish blue, plentifully speckled with reddish and'umber l''''fei"sti lilue.J 

 brown, and some markings of lilac. Size .(i5 x .45. Data. — Brownsville, Texas, 

 May 7, 189^. Nest of tine tibre-like material lined with horse hairs, on limb of 

 small tree in open woods near a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground. Col- 

 lector, Frank B. Armstrong. This set is in the collection of Mr. C. \V. Crandall. 

 [603.] Grassquit, Tiari.i bicolor. 



Range. — This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to south- 

 ern Florida. 



Tlie}' are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, with a 

 small entrance on the side. They lay from tliree to six white eggs, specked with 

 brown. Size .65 x .50. 



[603.1.] Melodious Grassquit. Tiaris raiinra. 



Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like 

 the last. 



604. Dicl<cissel; Blacl<-tliroated Bunting, Spiza amcrirana. 



Range. — Interior of the Uniteil States, breeding from the Gulf to northern 

 United States, west to the Rockies, east to the Alleghanies. 



A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast patch, line 



over eye and on side of throat; throat black, chin white and 



wing coverts chestnut. These sleek-coated, harmoniously 



colored birds are very common in dry bush-grown pastures 



and on the prairies. They are very persistent singers, and 



their song, while very simple, is welcome on hot days when 



[Bluish white. I other birds are quiet. They nest anywhere, as suits their 



fancy, on the ground, in clumps of grass, in clover fields, bushes, low trees, or 



in thistles. The nests are made of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined 



with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are bluish white. Size .80 x .60. 



605. Lark Bunting. Caknnaapiza mclanororijs. 



Range. — A bird of tlie Plains, abundant from western Kansas to eastern Col- 

 orado and north to the Canadian border; winters in Mexico. 



These black and white birds have a sweet song which they 

 often utter while on the wing after the mannerof the Bobolink, 

 all their habits being similar to those of this bird, except that \ 



this species likes the broad dry prairies where it nests on the 

 ground under the protection oi' a tuft of grass or a low bush. 

 Their four or five eggs are like those of the last but slightly 

 larger. Size .85 x .65. Data. — Franklin Co., Kansas. 4eggs. 

 Nest in cornfield in a hollow on the ground at the base of a 

 stalk; made of straw and weeds. Collector, Victor Smith. 



TANAGERS. Family TAIMAGRID/E. 



[606.] Blue-headed Euphonia. Euphonia ctrga ntissma. 

 Range. — Mexico, north casually? to southern Texas. 



This beautiful little Tanager is admitted to our avifauna on the authority of 

 Giraud as having occurred in Texas. 



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[Bluish white-.] 



