DICKCISSELS lack the homing instinct and their return to a locality cannot be counted upon. Half a century back they were not rare locally in parts of New York and Pennsylvania. Prior to 1860 they were not uncommon in Atlantic Coast States. They gather in flocks on the southern plains and feed with Horned Larks, the rear ranks rising and passing forward to fresh grounds in rolling forward procession. Along the northern edge of their range they may be common one year and absent the next. They seem to have a pendulum motion over different areas. Whether this is due to pure wandering instincts or influenced by the food supply is a matter of speculation. The weak little chip-chip-chee-chee-chee cheers the isolated prairies: what the notes lack in variety the performers make up in persistency of repetition.
Variable. From about parallel 47 between eastern base of Rockies to west Alleghenies, south to Texas and western Gulf States.