Roberts and Benner on the Ornithology of Minnesota. 15 
24. Spizella pallida, (Sw.) Bp. Clay-colored Sparrow. — 
Common at Brown’s Valley. They frequented specially a small area 
once cultivated, on which there had sprung up a dense growth of low 
bushes and weeds. 
25. Calamospiza bicolor, (Towns.) Bp. Lark Bunting. — A single 
male of this species was shot on the railroad track a short distance above 
Herman, and, although diligent search was made for its mate, she could 
not be found. On the way to Brown’s Valley, on the top of the high 
coteaux which rise abruptly from the prairie and border the shores of Lake 
Traverse, we encountered these birds again, where a pair was taken, the 
female having eggs about to be laid. They were quite common all along the 
edge of these bluffs, especially where it was at all stony, and frequented 
the neighboring “ breakings ” on the prairie for food. They would follow 
the ploughs to pick up insects, etc., but were very wary and difficult of 
approach. In fact, it was almost impossible to shoot them. In the Valley 
none were seen. 
26. Euspiza americana, ( Gm .) Bp. Black-throated Bunting. — 
Abundant everywhere, showing a decided partiality for the neighborhood 
of wheat-fields. 
27. Dolichonyx oryzivorus, (Linn.) Siv. Bobolink. — Abundant. 
Nest and six fresh eggs taken, June 10. 
28. Melothrus ater, ( Bodd .) Gray. Cowbird. — Common. 
29. Agelaeus phceniceus, (Linn.) Vieill. Red-winged Blackbird. 
— Common. 
30. Xanthocephalus icteroceplialus, {Bp.) Bd. Yellow-headed 
Blackbird. — Very common. This and the above species were seen in 
considerable flocks at the Valley on June 17. 
31. Sturnella magna neglecta, (And.) Allen. Western Meadow 
Lark. — Common ; young nearly fledged found in nest, June 10. 
32. Icterus spurius, (Linn.) Bp. Orchard Oriole. — Common. 
Fresh eggs taken at Valley, June 17. 
33. Quiscalus purpureus aeneus, (Bartr.) Ridgway. Crow Black- 
bird. — Common. Fresh eggs of second brood taken, June 7. 
34. Tyrannus carolinensis, (L.) Bd. King-bird. — Very abundant, 
especially at Brown’s Valley, where over twenty-five nests were found on 
June 17, all containing full sets of perfectly fresh eggs. The nests here 
were often found in small bushes or on low limbs ; one was not more than 
eighteen inches from the ground. 
35. Tyrannus verticalis, Say. Arkansas Flycatcher. — The first 
notice of this bird was near a small post-office called Pleasant Hill, on the 
borders of Lake Traverse. It was sitting on a fence near a group of oak- 
trees in a gully running down to the lake. It was shot, and proved to be a 
female. No more were seen until we searched the strip of woods along 
the Minnesota River at the Valley, where we discovered, two pairs nest- 
ing in company with many of the preceding species. The nests were in 
