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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. phoenzceus and/?7. catolinus. 35. Aatragalinua triatia triatia. 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 pusilia 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. Cardinalia cardinalia 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 nmnber 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. Dickcisscl. 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 erythromelaa. 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 Tanagcr. Fairly common during 1907, but only a few seen during 1908. They were found in the oak timber only, and wc heard their queer notes often, coming from a draw cast of camp. Usually two were together, tho for what reason I could not guess.