552. (American Ornithologists' Union check-list #) Lark Sparrow: Chondestes grammacus (Say) Adult--Head reddish brown with a whitish line through crown and over the eye; upper parts ashy brown with dark streaks; tail feathers dark brown with white tips; under parts white or whitish, a black line on either side of throat, and a black spot on breast. Length--6.25. Breeding Range--"Throughout the Mississippi Valley, from eastern Texas and Louisiana on the south to Iowa and southern Michigan on the north." Accidental on the Atlantic coast. The nest is usually placed on the ground in prairie land or pastures; it is made of grasses, twigs, and fine roots, lined with hairs. 3 to 4, and not more than 5, eggs are laid. In some cases they are said to resemble closely the eggs of the Baltimore oriole, though as a rule the markings, consisting of very dark brown and lilac scrawl-like lines, are more confined to the larger end; the ground colour is white, sometimes tinged with blue or buff. Size--.80 x .63. See Fig. 3, Plate B. The Lark Sparrow, Lark Finch, Quailbird, or Road-bird, as he is variously named, has scarcely the right to be called a resident of the Eastern States, being but an occasional visitor. In localities where they are regular residents they are said to "often repair the nests of the mocking-bird and orchard oriole with a lining of grass, horse hairs, etc." Their eggs have also been found "in the nest of the scissor-tailed flycatcher," and though occasionally the nest is built in bushes or even trees, it is usually on the ground. The breeding season lasts from May to July.