1891] 



MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



125 



Melospiza fasciata (Gmel.). Song Sparrow. 



Tins species may be found the whole year through. As far 

 as my observations extend, its numbers do not decrease in winter 

 even if the weather should be severe. It frequents the borders 

 of various bodies of water, both great and small. Especially 

 during winter it may be found in swampy spots overgrown with 

 reeds, shrubs and small willows. During that season it may 

 also be found associated with the snowbird and other small birds, 

 congregating in flocks, running on the ground like little mice, 

 and busily engaged in searching for food. As a singer it is not 

 surpassed by any of the other sparrows. During the whole 

 year, not excepting the cold season, its pleasant notes may be 

 heard. The strain is usually as follows : three or four distinct 

 moderately high notes, often embellished by grace notes, followed 

 by a lower note, which is given forth with a peculiar squeaky 

 twang not in accord with the rest of the song, and succeeded by 

 a very high trill, which is finished with a still higher note. 



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Ihe nest is usually placed on the ground, and it is composed 

 of grass, the inside being lined with horse-hair, in which are 

 placed four or five eggs, thickly spotted and blotched with brown. 



Spizella pusilla (Wils..) Field Sparrow. 



This little sparrow remains with us in small numb3rs through- 

 out the winter, but the majority of specimens leave about the 

 month of November upon the approach of severe weather, while 

 in the month of March its numbers may be seen to increase. 

 During summer it is distributed everywhere excepting in the 

 woods, and it is not confined, as its name implies, to the fields. 



