164 SPRAGUE'S PIPIT. 
rapid and wayward; at such times, after the first alarm, they are wont to hover around 
in a desultory manner for a considerable time, and then pitch suddenly down to the 
ground, often near where they rose. Under these circumstances they have a lisping, 
querulous note. But these common traits have nothing to do with the wonderful 
soaring action, and the inimitable, matchless song of the birds during the breeding 
season—it is no wonder Audubon grew enthusiastic in describing it. Rising from the 
nest, or from its grassy bed, this plain-looking little bird, clad in the simplest colors, 
and making but a speck in the boundless expanse, mounts straight up, on tremulous 
wings, till lost to view in the blue ether, and then sends back to earth a song of 
gladness that seems to come from the sky itself, to cheer the weary, give hope to the 
disheartened, and turn the most indifferent, for the moment at least, from sordid 
thoughts. No other bird-music heard in our land compares with the wonderful strains 
of this songster; there is something not of earth in the melody, coming from above, 
yet from no visible source. The notes are simply indescribable; but once heard they can 
never be forgotten. Their volume and penetration are truly wonderful; they are neither 
loud nor strong, yet the whole air seems filled with the tender strains, and the delightful 
melody continues long: unbroken. The song is only heard for a brief period in the 
summer, ceasing when the inspiration of the love season is over, and it is only uttered 
when the birds are soaring.” 
Prof. J. A. Allen, while connected with the Yellowstone Expedition, was so fortu- 
nate as to find the nest of this interesting prairie bird. “The only nest we found,” he 
says, ‘‘was placed on the ground, and neatly formed of dry, fine grass. It was thinly 
arched over with the same material, and being built in a tuft of rank grass, was most 
thoroughly concealed. The bird would seem to be a close setter, as in this case the 
female remained on the nest till I actually stepped over it, she brushing against my feet 
as she went off. The eggs were five in number, rather long and pointed, measuring 
about .90%.60 inch, of a grayish-white color, thickly and minutely flecked with darker, 
giving them a decidedly purplish tint.” 
At times, these Titlarks are associated with numbers of Chestnut-collared Long- 
spurs and Baird’s Buntings. 
NAMES: Spracve’s Pirit, Missouri Pipit, Sprague’s Skylark, Missouri Skylark, Prairie Skylark. — Missouri-, 
Prarielerche (German). 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Alauda spragueii Aud. (1844). Agrodoma spraguei Brd. (1852). Neocorys spraguei 
Brd. (1858). ANTHUS SPRAGUEI Brd. (1864). 
DESCRIPTION: Sexes alike. Above, dark brown or wood-brown, all the feathers edged with lighter, 
especially on the neck, where a brownish-yellow tinge predominates. A line over the eye and lores 
whitish. Under parts dull white, with a collar of sharply defined narrow brown streaks across the 
forepart and along the sides of the breast. Two whitish bands on the wings. Tail dark brown; the 
outer tail-feather white, the second one white, with the inner margin brown. Bill and feet yellow. 
Length about 6 inches; wings, 3.50; tail, 2.60 inches. 
