FINCHES, RPAKROWS 



(605) Calamospiza melan6= 



corys Stejn. 



(Gr,, a reed, a finch; black lark). 



LARK BUNTING. Ad. & — In 

 summer wholly black, except the wiiiK 

 coverts and edges of tertials, which 

 are white. Ad. 9 — Above grayish- 

 brown, streaked with black; wing 

 patch small and tinged with buff; 

 under parts dull white, streaked on 

 the breast and sides, o"' in winter — 

 Similar to the female but feathers of 

 under parts are black basally and 

 often show through; chin blackish., 

 L., 6.50; W., 3.40; T., 2.60; B., .55. 

 Nesl — Of grasses ; on the ground in 

 tufts of grass or concealed under 

 shrubs; four or five bluish eggs. 



Range — Plains from Sask. and 

 Alberta south to N. Me.x. and Tex.; 

 east to Neb.; accidental in Mass. 



times are raised a few inches above in weeds or thistles. The 

 female does not leave the nest until almost stepped upon 

 and then makes comparatively little fuss. 



On the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, another 

 species of bunting lives, namely the LARK BUNTING. 

 Most ground-inhabiting birds have more or less color pro- 

 tective plumage but the males of this species need no brass 

 band to advertise their presence for their black and white 

 coats stand out boldly against any background upon which 

 they naturally are found. Such a plumage would prove 

 fatal to the species if it were worn by the female too, but fort- 

 unately she is clothed in a demure "sparrow" brown, but, 

 in order that she may not be mistaken for any common 

 sparrow, she has patches of white on her wings to proclaim, 

 in an unobtrusive manner, her proper identity. In winter 

 the male, too, looks like her. 



Lark Buntings are excellent songsters. All their notes are 

 musical. Their call is a sweet, soft, cheery "hoo-ee," given 



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