164 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



THE QUAIL-HEAD. 



Ammodramus caudacutus. 



plate lxvii. fig. 154. 



(CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 



Fringilla caudacula. Latham, Ind. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 459. 



Sliarp-laited Orkle. Pennant. Arot. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 2C1 ? Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 70, pi. 34, fig. 3 (male). 



F. (Sjiizn) id. Bonaparte, Ann. I.yc Vol. 2, p. 110. Audubon, folio pi. 149. Nut. Man. Orn. Vol. 1. p. 505. 



Ammodramus id. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 3, p. 103, pi. 174. 



A. id., Btiff-breaslcd Shore Fmch. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p; 113. 



Characteristics. A stripe of reddish brown above and beneath the eye. Tail graduated, 

 with very acute feathers. Length, 5 inches. 



Description. Bill robust, somewhat curved and carinate above the nostrils, faintly notched 

 at the tip. First, second and third quills largest, subequal. Tail-feathers acutely bevelled 

 on both vanes, but the shafts do not extend beyond the webs. Secondaries nearly as long as 

 some of the quills. Hind claw as long as the toe. Tail extending 1 " 7 beyond the tips of 

 the closed wings. 



Color. Above olive. Crown bluish slate in the centre and chesnut on the sides, margined 

 by the light reddish brown over the eyes. Ear-feathers dark slate. A broad band of red- 

 dish brown from the lower mandible, down the neck. Shoulder with a slight tinge of lemon 

 yellow. Chin, breast and flanks buff ; the two latter streaked with brown. Throat, belly and 

 vent soiled white : the under tail-coverts buff, streaked with brown. 



Length, 5-0-5- 5. Alar spread, 7-0-7-5. 



The name of Quail-head, by which this species is distinguished among our gunners, is 

 derived from its distant resemblance to the head of the common Quail. Like the preceding, 

 it is found only in salt marshes, where it breeds. Its nest is placed on the ground, and con- 

 tains four or five dull white eggs sprinkled with light brown dots, which are most numerous 

 towards the larger end. Its food consists of shrimps, aquatic insects and grass seeds. It is 

 a resident in the Southern States, and is found as far south as Mexico. In summer it migrates 

 northwardly along the coast as far as Massachusetts. 



