3*2 
ANNUAL REPORT. 
39. Eremophila alpestris (Forvt.) Bole— Borneo Lark. —A Liixl of the 
prairie and open country, recognizable by tlx 1 black and yellowish- 
white markings on the head, and black crescent on the breast, together 
with its quiet and unsuspicious nature. It frequents roads along which 
it collects a large part of its food. When the season is favorable, the 
sometimes larks appear in January, and by the last of February, have be¬ 
come numerous and are even paired and attending to nesting duties, as 
in the mild February of 1878. They can endure severe cold, and then- 
absence in early winter, or sometime the entire season, is due mainly, in 
seems to me, to a scarcity of suitable food while the snows are so frequent 
and continuous. As soon as the ground becomes bare and slightly mellow 
in patches, however small, they return and then have the coldest 
weather that conies. 
40. Lanius borealis [Vieill). — Great Northern Shrike or Butcher 
Bird. —A bird about the size and general appearance of a mocking¬ 
bird, except that it is stronger built and has a powerful hooked and 
toothed bill. More commonly seen in spring and fall, but occasionally 
occurs during winter. 
41. Oarpodacus purpureus [Got.) Grot/. — Purple Finch. — Present at 
Minneapolis during the mild winter of 1877-8 and occurring rarely 
colder seasons (Feb. 20, 1876). Male purplish red, except wings and 
tail; female and young dull-colored streaked ; about- six inches in 
length. 
42. Chrysomitris pinus (Wils.) Bp . — Pink Linnet.— A small dull col¬ 
ored bird with concealed sulphur yellow markings on the wings and 
tail. Sometimes common in December and occurring occasionally 
throughout the winter. (Dec 25, 1877. Feb. 2, 1878.) 
48. Chrysomitris tristris. (Lino.) Bp . — Thistle ririjGoldfinch. — 
In winter a brownish bird with black wings and tail, but becoming 
bright yellow in spring. It has-’a querulous note, oft repeated, and to¬ 
ward spring a. varied, pleasing song. It sometimes occurs during rath¬ 
er cold winters and is generally common until the middle of December. 
(Dec. 11, 1875, Jan. 4, 1877, Feb. 10, 1877.) 
44. Juncus hyemalis. (Linn.) Sol. Snow iurd. — Dark slate-colored, 
i^iarply contrasted on the breast with the bright white of the under 
parts. Seldom seen during winter. (Feb. 10, 1876, Jan. 21. 1880.) 
45. Corvus americanus, Bud. Grow. — Sometimes appears in considerable 
numbers in February. 
46. Buteo borealis. (Got.) Vieill. Pi ed-tai led hawk, hen hawk. — Un¬ 
common in winter, but after a week of mild weather in January or 
February it may sometimes be seen sailing about high up in the air. 
ACCIDENTAL. 
47. Turdus migratorlus, Linn. Robin.— Have heard of one hardy-dispo¬ 
sition ed bird that successfully passed the winter of 1877 — 8 about the* 
farm of Mr. J. D. Grimes, near Minneapolis. The season, however, 
was unusually mild. 
