Wayne: Birds op South Carolina. 179 



interesting bird. The first specimen was recorded in 'The Auk,' Vol. XI, 1894, 

 p. 80. I ahotthe specimen I nowrecord on November 17, 1900. When first seen 

 the bird was mistaken for the Grass Finch, but upon approaching it too closely it 

 flew upward in circles until it was nearly out of vision when I realized that it was 

 a veritable Sprague's Pipit. I continued to watch this mere speck in the heavens 

 hoping that it would again alight. Suddenly the bird pitched downward and 

 alighted in a grassy field. I hastened to the spot and as it flushed I shot it. The 

 specimen is an adult female, and, like the first one taken, is in fine unworn plum- 

 age. 



This second specimen was captured within a quarter of a mile of the spot where 

 I shot the first specimen on November 24, 1893. The capture of this second 

 specimen seems to warrant the belief that this bird is something more than a mere 

 wanderer or accidental visitor. 



On the morning of November 1, 1904, I saw and heard a Sprague's Pipit sing 

 while flying high in the heavens. I apparently saw the very spot where it alighted, 

 but although I hunted the ground thoroughly throughout the entire day, I failed 

 to find the bird. For previous records of the capture of this species in South 

 Carolina by the writer, see 'The Auk,' Vol. XI, 1894, p. 80, and Vol. XVIII, 

 1901, p. 275. 



In this connection I wish to place on record a bird of this species which I saw and 

 also heard sing while it was flying overhead. This record was made the first week 

 in November, 1892, on the west shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, Osceola County, 

 Florida. I have no doubt that ornithologists who will investigate the fauna of 

 this lake during the winter, will find this species to be a regular winter visitor 

 there. 



The specimen taken November 24, 1893, remained for nearly 

 ten years the only record for the Atlantic coast or indeed any- 

 where east of the mouth of the Mississippi River. In 1903, Mr. 

 A. H. Helme 1 secured on Cumberland Island, Georgia, nine 

 specimens which were taken between January 19 and April 3. 



The breeding range of this species extends from North Dakota 

 northward to the Saskatchewan region of Manitoba and Assiniboia. 



FAMILY MIMID^: THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, ETC. 



281. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.). Mockingbird. 



This well-known songster of our south-land is a permanent 

 resident and breeds abundantly near settlements as well as oc- 

 casionally in the interior of large forests. 



The nest is placed in a thick bush or a clump of vines, from 

 three to ten feet above the ground. It is constructed externally 

 of sticks and pieces of vines and lined with rootlets. The first 

 brood of four or five eggs is laid during the second week in April. 

 These are greenish blue, spotted and blotched with reddish brown, 

 and measure 1 .00 X .71 . As far as my experience goes, only three 

 broods are raised, the second usually numbering four, appearing in 

 June, and the last in late July or August. 



'Auk, XXI, 1904, 291. 



