414 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
Genus CHONDESTES Swainson. (Page 383, pl. CIX., fig. 2.) 
Species. 
Common Cuaracters.—Above brownish or brownish gray, the back streaked 
with blackish; tail-feathers (except middle pair) broadly tipped with white; 
lower parts chiefly white. Adult: Crown and ear-coverts chestnut, the former 
divided medially by a pale brownish gray or grayish buff stripe (whitish anteri- 
orly), the chestnut passing. anteriorly into blackish; a black streak across lores, 
and one along each side of throat; a small black spot on middle of chest. Young: 
Crown and ear-coverts grayish brown, the former streaked with blackish; whole 
plumage usually more or less suffused with buffy, and chest streaked with dusky. 
Nest on ground or in bushes or trees, composed of dried grasses, ete. Eggs 3-5, 
pure white (sometimes with a faint bluish or brownish tinge), speckled and lined, 
chiefly on Jarger end, with black and dark brown. 
a’, Averaging darker and grayer, with black streaks on back broader and chestnut 
of head rather darker; wings and tail shorter; length 5.75-6.75, wing 3.20- 
3.80 (3.49), tail 2.70-3.00 (2.82). Hggs .80 x .61. Hab. Mississippi Valley, 
north to southern Michigan, east to Ohio (casually to Atlantic coast), south 
to eastern Texas, Louisiana, ete. 
552. C. grammacus (Say). Lark Sparrow. 
a, Averaging paler and browner, with black streaks on back narrower, and chestnut 
of head rather lighter; wings and tail longer; length 6.50-7.25, wing 3.35- 
3.70 (3.58), tail 2.60-3.35 (2.93). Hggs .80.63. Hab. Western United 
States, east to Great Plains and middle Texas, south over table-lands of 
Mexico. 
552a. C. grammacus strigatus (Swarns.). Western Lark Sparrow. 
Genus ZONOTRICHIA Swainson. (Page 385, pl. CIX., fig. 4.) 
Species. 
Common CuaractErs.—Back brownish, streaked with blackish; lower back, 
rump, and upper tail-coverts plain olive-brownish or grayish brown; wing with two 
white bands; tertials and uppermost greater wing-coverts broadly edged with 
chestnut, this passing terminally into white; tail without white; lower parts plain 
whitish or grayish (streaked in young). Adults with head wholly black (Z. quer- 
ula), or else with a broad black stripe on each side of crown. Vest on or near 
ground, in open places (sometimes in bushes), composed of dried grasses, etc. 
Eggs 3-5, pale greenish blue, greenish white, or buffy whitish, spotted, speckled, 
or sprinkled with rusty brown. 
a‘. Top of head black, without trace of median stripe, or of yellow; sides and flanks 
