368 



NESTS AND EGGS OF 



539. McCOWN'S LONGSPTTB. Rhychophanes mccownii (Lawr.) Geog. Dist.— 

 Interior of North America, breeding f'-om the northern border of Kansas, north to 

 the Saskatchewan; south in winter to Mexico. 



The Black-breasted or Bay-winged Lpngspur breeds in abundance throughout 

 the prairies of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. In the latter region and Dakota 

 it is found associated with the Chestnut-collared Longspur, in whose general habits 

 it is an exact counterpart. Dr. Coues says it has the same soaring, singing flight, 



539. McCoWN's LoNOSFUR (S. S. dheney del.) 



and parachute-like descent, "sliding down on-the scale of its own music." Its nest- 

 ing habits are the same as those of the last species, and the eggs, three to six in num- 

 ber, are similar, but their ground-color is usually more olive; average size .82x.60 

 inches. 



■^+0 540. VESPEB SPARROW. Pooc(Btes fframineus (Gmel.) Geog. Dist. — Bast- 

 'ern North America, west to the plains, north to Nova Scotia and Ontario, breeding 

 southward to Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, northward. 



The Grass-Finch, Bay-winged Bunting, or "Gray Bird," as it is called, is an 

 ab«ndant speciesiin Eastern United States. Its favorite resorts are weedy fields, 

 TotiaifAta and commons. From its habit of singing mostly in the evening and in 

 cloudy weather, it is called Vesper Bird. The bird's song alone is suftcient to dis- 

 tinguish it from others of the smaller sparrows. Its song is a clear, sweet trill, finely 

 modulated, or it is the Song Sparrow's song reversed. The breeding season is in May 

 and June. I have iound the nest with fresh eggs in July. This is placed on the 



