The Lark-Bunting (Calamospiza bicolor) in Massachusetts. — The 
first instance known to me of the capture of this species east of the Mis- 
sissippi Kiver occurred on December 5, 1877, when a specimen was shot by- 
Mr. N. A. Vickary at Lynn, Mass., — a male in autumnal plumage. Its 
usual eastern limit is well known to be the plains of middle Kansas, 
where it ranges eastward to about, or possibly a little beyond, Fort Har- 
ker. The specimen has been kindly shown me by Mr. Vickary, to whom 
I am indebted for a knowledge of its capture. — J. A. Allen, Cambridge, 
Kfn qs 
BuU. N.O.O. 3, Jan., 1878. p. 
Calamospiza melanocorys on Long Island, N. Y.— On the 4th of Sep- 
tember 1888, I obtained, at Montauk Point, L. I., a specimen of this 
species. The bird was a young one in first plumage but full grown, and 
in rather ragged condition externally, though of average plumpness as to 
flesh. To Mr. Ridgway I am indebted for its identification. 
The bird was found on the edge of a salt marsh near the beach, and, be. 
ing not recognized, was shot on sight. During the latter part of August 
and the first days of September there was certainly no wind or storm 
heavy enough to blow the bird so far, and it seems altogether strange that 
it should have found its way to such a locality.— Evan M. Evans, Prince- 
ton i N -J- A*k, YI. April, 1889. p. 
Albiniatic Plumages. R. Deane. 
14. Calamospiza bicolor. Lark Bunting. — Dr. W. J. Hoffmann 
states (Am. Nat., Vol. XII, p. 476) that he has noticed white feathers 
scattered indiscriminately over the neck and breast in a number of speci- 
mens secured on Heart River in Dakota Territory. 
Bull. N.O.O. 5, Jan. ,1880, p .27 
Editor of O. & 0. : 
Following is a short note on the capture of 
an Albino Lark Bunting (Calamospiza bi colo r). 
I shot it on the 24tli of August, 1890, near 
Cando, Towner Co., North Dakota. It was 
feeding on the prairie and in an oat field, in 
company of about twenty other Lark Buntings, 
which were in their usual plumage. Its 
actions were the same. The plumage of this 
j specimen is pure white; bill and feet a pale 
I flesh color, which faded to a dull white as they 
dried. The size was as follows: Length, 6% 
! in. ; extent, 10% in. ; wing, 3% in.; tail, 2% in.; 
tarsus, % in. ; toe and nail, % in. Iris, notice- 
' ably pink, whole eyeball showing very light 
I color. Sex uncertain, it being a young bird, 
and a shot went through the body near posi- ’ 
tion of the sexual organs. There were the 
remains of grasshoppers in' stomach. The 
outline and size of bill and feet and the gen- 
eral contour of the body would show conclus- 
ively that it is a Lark Bunting, and as perfect 
an albino as is usually seen. 
Elmer T. Judd. 
( un>> \KVl t March. 1861, p^/7- 
►Sunny So. Oologist, I 5° 2 - Colorado Birds. By Fred. M. Dille. Ibid., p. 29. — Calamospiza Atlk/Vll Jon 
melanocorys and FEpialitis montana. 1890. P# VO- * * 
< 
1967. The Lark Finch. 
Birds of Southeastern Dakota « <3 
Agersborg-. Revised by W. W^ook!* 
77. Calamospiza bicolor. Lark Bunting. — Common summer resi- 
dent. It prefers the low bottom lands with their tall growth of grass 
for nesting places. Several nests may sometimes be found within an area 
of a quarter section. The male is conspicuous during the whole season ; 
the female less so, being rarely seen, especially during incubation. The 
eggs of this species and of the Black-throated Bunting are so similar that 
it is necessary to be very careful in identifying the nest and birds. Of the 
many nests I have seen, those of the Lark Bunting were invariably placed 
on the ground between the grass tufts ; those of the Black-throated Bunting 
sometimes on the ground, at other times in the middle of a tuft, the 
growing grass elevating it for several inches. The nest of the Lark Bun- 
ting is, as a rule, not so well upholstered with horse hair as that of the 
Black-throated. Snaring is often the surest means of correct identifica- 
tion, but this may mislead, as it once did me. Setting a steel-trap on a 
Duck’s nest to catch the mother, I was surprised next morning to find in 
my trap the ‘wrong bird,’ — an oologist commonly styled ‘Skunk.’ 
Auk, 2, July, 1885. p.281 
habits in Texas. 
J-A-, Singiey. Ibid., p. 28— Nesting 
v®. & Oologist e Semi-annual, Vol.l, 7U ■ a . 
9 ° 
