324 BIRDS 



were covered with a growth of coarse grass. It is also fre- 

 quently seen in the swampy prairies of the Mississippi 

 bottom lands. 



Mr. Oliver Davie quotes the following description of the 

 bird's habits from an observer who studied their habits in 

 Manitoba, where they nest extensively: "Leconte's spar- 

 rows are fairly numerous in Manitoba. Their peculiar note 

 can be heard both day and night in fine weather; the only 

 sound I can compare it to is the note of the grasshopper." 



The nests are described as concealed in a thick tuft of 

 grass and are rather deep and cup-shaped. They are con- 

 structed of fine grass and fibers. 



Though this elegant little sparrow baffled bird-lovers for 

 so many years, it is now known to be abundant in many 

 localities, and it is only because of its peculiar and retiring 

 habits, living, as it does, in grassy places not easily accessi- 

 ble, that it is not more often observed. 



LARK SPARROW 



The Lark Sparrows are found in the central portions 

 of the United States from Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas 

 eastward to Michigan and Illinois. They breed from Texas 

 northward into Wisconsin, North Dakota, and casually east 

 to New York and New England. They migrate south in 

 winter to Florida and the Gulf States. 



The lark bunting is one of the finest songsters among 

 our native sparrows. Twenty years ago they were a com- 

 mon summer resident about northern Ilhnois, but of late 

 years they have become rare. The sub-species described as 



