1S8 
TENTH REPORT. 
often choose the tall stems of various weeds as watch towers from which 
they sally forth over the meadow in quest of flying insects. A few pairs 
of Bobolinks nest here and feed on the insects found in the long grass. Their 
nest like the Meadowlarks, is difficult to find, being composed of dead grass 
with a few leaves. Vesper Sparrows make their home in the dead grass and 
weed patches, where abundant food, both insect and vegetable, can be found, 
and where there is also a suitable place for the nests. 
CONDITIONS IN SUMMER. 
The only notable change taking place during the summer is the ripening 
of the seeds and fruits. These change the food of several species from a diet 
largely insectivorous to one largely composed of weed seeds. 
CHARACTERISTIC AND COMMON BIRDS. 
The characteristic birds remain the same, namely the Meadowlark and 
Field Sparrow, and since the conditions have only slightly changed since 
late spring, which was taken up quite fully, little more need be said concerning 
them. The maturing of the weed seeds causes the Field Sparrow to change 
from an insect to a vegetable diet. Among the common summer birds the 
Brown Thrasher should be mentioned. While this bird is seldom found out 
in the open meadows it is quite common along their border especially where 
there are brush piles and thickets. Cowbirds are often seen following the 
cattle, feeding on the insects which are attracted bv them. A few Bronzed 
Crackles come here to feed, especially on the cleared field, grasshoppers 
being the food sought. 
CONDITIONS IN FALL. 
In the fall the weed seeds have all ripened and most of the grass is dead, 
the fruits have been removed or rotted away, and the major portion of the 
insects have disappeared. The products of the cultivated field have also 
been harvested, but where the corn was grown considerable waste grain is 
still left. 
FALL BIRDS. 
The most abundant birds found here in the fall are the Killcleer, Meadow- 
lark, American Goldfinch, Vesper, Chipping, White-throated and Field 
Sparrows. The Killdeers and Meadowlarks feed principally on insect food 
and prefer the short grass or cultivated field, while the Goldfinch and spar- 
rows feed almost exclusively on the weed seeds remaining for the most part, 
in the patches of dead weeds and long grass. The White-throated Sparrow 
is migrating, only remaining a couple of weeks, but during this time destroys 
immense quantities of seed. It is one of the few birds that at rare intervals 
give vent to their nuptial song while on the southward journey. 
CONDITIONS IN WINTER. 
The ground may or may not be covered with snow, depending on the 
weather. But even if the snow is a foot or so deep many of the weeds will 
still have their seedbearing tops above the crust where the birds can get 
at them. However, the snow seldom gets more than a few inches deep on 
the higher ground and really plays only a small part in the conditions influ- 
