OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 279 



cording to Robert Kennicott, Esq., it breeds quite 

 abundantly. 



The nest is placed on the ground, most gener- 

 ally in a tuft of grass or in a cluster of plants, and 

 is built of dry grasses and lined with horse-hair. 

 The young, it is said, follow their parents for a 

 brief period, but soon separate and care for 

 themselves. 



The eegfs are rounded-oval, and dashed and 



oo 



blotched with golden-brown markings upon a clear 

 white background. They measure .74 of an inch 

 length and .62 in breadth. 



Melospiza lincolnii, Baird. ^ 



Lincoln's Finch, so called by Mr. Audubon in 

 honor of Mr. Thomas Lincoln, one of his com- 

 panions, is an exceedingly rare species in Phila- 

 delphia, although more abundant to the westward. 

 It makes its appearance during the latter part of 

 April or the beginning of May, and is generally 

 found consorted with other species of sparrows. 

 Its habits, in some particulars, remind us of those 

 of Melospiza nielodia. Like this species it perches 

 upon the top of a small bush or low tree, and 

 chants its sono- for an hour at a time. When dis- 



o 



turbed it moves quickly away and precipitates 

 itself into the densest bush with which it meets. 

 Unlike the Song Sparrow it is more suspicious, 

 and can be approached only with great difficulty. 

 It shuns rather than courts the society of man, and 

 affects a fondness for thick bushes along water- 

 courses, in secluded valleys. 



