Sept., 1909 
FALL NOTES FROM EASTERN KANSAS 
161 
and the confusion of their notes filled the air like the tumult of a great waterfall. 
If they were startled, and all arose at once their wings made a loud roaring noise, 
and the birds wheeled around until decided which way to go. Usually in the 
early morning they fed for a time in the oak woods in the draws, but later on 
spread out in the cornfields in the bottoms. We secured quite a few of them by 
random shots into the large flocks. The adults were just completing the molt, but 
the young birds were in good plumage. A curious habit, alluded to above, was 
that of the long flocks following every dip and turn made by the leader. Frequently 
I have seen one flock following another at a distance of a quarter of a mile, 
suddenly dip downwards at approximately the same place, as that at which those in 
the lead had performed the same evolution. On one occasion, this led to disaster 
as one flock dodged under a wire, while the flock following miscalculated the distance, 
and one bird was struck down to the ground, stunned and disabled. I have noted 
the same habit in other species of the Icteridae: in A. phoeniceus and E. carolinus. 
35. Asfragalinus tristis tristis. . American Goldfinch. Fairly common during 
both years. Usually they were seen flying overhead, but several times we encoun- 
tered a flock near a ford on Hasty Creek where they came for water. Two, of the 
six taken, are immature birds in brownish plumage, and the rest are adults just 
beginning the molt. 
36. Spizella pusilla pusilla. Field Sparrow. These little sparrows were in a 
bad state of molt, and some of them were hardly able to fly. We trampt them out 
of the weeds, on the hills to the south, and for a while I was uncertain as to their 
identity on account of their plumage. The first one secured, however, settled the 
matter. One partial albino was taken, having patches of white on the feathers of 
the scapulars, interscapulars, and rump. Three of the immature birds are in the 
juvenile striped plumage. They were seen only during 1908, none being encoun- 
tered the previous year. 
37. Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis. Cardinal. All those taken were badly 
molting, and some of the adult males especially, were in very ragged plumage. A 
number of young were taken with dusky instead of red bills. Two were secured 
that had barely left the nest, and were just able to fly. One of these was taken 
September 19, 1907, and the other September 16, 1908, which indicates very late 
nesting for them. The birds were very shy and secretive, and were silent, except 
for their customary sharp call notes. 
38. Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting. This species was common in the 
weed patches along the borders of the fields, and at the edge of the timber along 
the creeks. Quite a number were taken, both adults and young, the former being 
in a bad state of molt. One young bird, just out of the nest, was taken September 
18, 1908. This is the first time I have noted such late nesting in this bird. The 
adult males were heard giving the flight song on several occasions. 
39. Spiza americana. Dickcissel. One taken September 19, 1907, from a 
flock of three in a small marsh. A few others were seen flying overhead, but they 
were not at all common, and most of them had left for the south. None were 
noted the second year. 
40. Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. A few found in the bottom 
woods, along Washington Creek, working thru the trees with the other smaller 
migrants. 
41. Piranga rubra rubra. Summer Tanager. Fairly common during 1907, 
but only a few seen during 1908. They were found in the oak timber only, and 
we heard their queer notes often, coming from a draw east of camp. Usually two 
were together, tho for what reason I could not guess. 
