PERCHING BIRDS 



605. Lark Bunting. Calfniiospi-a mela- 



nocorys.. 



Range. — A bird of the Plains, abundant rroui 

 western Kansas to eastern Colorado 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 manner of the Bobo 

 ,^j.5>"- - link, 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 of a tuft of 

 grass or a low bush. Their 

 l!our or five eggs are like 

 those of the last but slightly larger. Size .85 

 X .65. Data. — Franklin Co., Kansas. 4 eggs. 

 Nest in cornfield in a hollow on the ground at 

 the base of a stalk: made of straw and weeds. 



Bluish white 



DickciS'^el 



TANAGERS. Family TANAGRID.^ 



607. Western Tan.\ger. I'iranga ludoviciana. 



Range. — United States, west of the Plains and north to British Columbia. 

 This liandsome species is black and yellow, with an orange or reddish head. 

 They are common and breed in suitable localities through their range, nesting 

 as do the eastern Tanagers in trees usually at a low elevation, the nests being- 

 saddled on the forks of horizontal branches; tliey are made of rootlets, strips 



of bark, and weed stalks, 



and are usually frail like 



those of the Grosbeaks. 



Their eggs, which are laid 



in May or June, are bluisli 



green, specked with brown 



of varying shades. Size 



.95 X .65. Bluish 



(ion. .Scarlet TAXAtiEtr.. Piraiiga {•n/th- 

 To/nelas. 



These beautiful scarlet 

 and black birds frequent, 

 chiefly, woodlands, al- 

 though they are very of- 

 ten found breeding in or- 

 chards and small pine 

 groves. They are quiet 

 birds, in actions, but their 

 loud warbling song is 



heard at a great distance, and is readily recog- 

 nized by its peculiarity. They nest upon hori- 



369 



Lark Bui) ling" 



24 



