CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 467 



reddish brown. {G. R. White.) The nesting season at Scotch 

 Lake, York Co., N.B., is from May to July. Three to five eggs 

 are laid in a loosely constructed nest of grasses on the ground, or 

 sometinjes by the side of a log or root. (W.H.Moore.) Quite 

 common at Ottawa and Lake Nominingue. Nest sunken in the 

 ground and hidden by the grass, made with grasses, rootlets and 

 hairs. Sometimes only two or three bits of grass and h^irs are 

 used. One nest was found in sand under a potato plant. It 

 nests in May, June and July and lays four eggs. {Garneau.) 



MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 



Four; taken at Ottawa in October, 1890, and September, 1891, 

 by Mr. F. A. Saunders. 



One set of four eggs taken on Toronto Island on May loth, 

 1856, by Mr. W. Raine, and another of four taken in the same 

 place June 21st, 1894, by Mr. G. F. Dippie. 



548*. Western Savanna Sparrow. 



Passeradus sandwichensis alaudinus {BoViAP.) Ridgw. 1877. 

 Breeds in profusion throughout the region explored, that is 

 along the 49th parallel. Though not exclusively a bird of the 

 prairie, it seems to be as much at home in the open plains as 

 anywhere, associating with Centronyx, the chestnut-collared 

 and McCown's longspurs. It is also found in the brush along 

 streams and the larger rivers which are not frequented by the 

 above species. {Ccaies.) An abundant sun^ iTi^r ffsiHcnt nn the 

 p rairies in Manitoba. The bird is remarkably shv. even in places 

 -w here man is scarcely ever seen. (Thomjisan-Seton.) First seen 

 May nth, 1893, at Indian Head, Assa., common by May 13th; 

 they breed in the vicinity in great numbers; common at Crane 

 Lake, Assa.; seemed to prefer low ground where there were 

 hushes; quite common on the east end of the Cypress Hills the 

 last week in June, 1894, in low damp ground. In (895 its habits 

 were more carefully observed and it was found that it was always 

 by pools of water or in marshes at West Selkirk, Brandon, Moose 

 Jaw, Parkbeg and Old Wives' Creek. It was found nesting at 

 12-Mile Lake, near Wood Mountain, and always in njarshy spots. 

 This.species was noted wherever there was water or marsh for 400 

 miles to the westward to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. 

 (Macoun.) First seen at Edmonton, Alta., May 3rd, 1897, next 



