150 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 



made of dry, wiry grass, and lined with finer blades of 

 the same. It is usually formed with a covered entrance 

 in the surrounding withered grass, through which a hid- 

 den and almost winding path is made, and generally 

 so well concealed, that the nest is only to be found when 

 the bird is flushed. 



The eggs are 4 or 5, white, with a very faint tint of blue, 

 almost round, and rather large for the size of the bird, 

 marked with numerous small reddish brown spots more 

 numerous at the greater end, blended with other lighter 

 and darker points and small spots of the same. They 

 probably often raise 2 broods in the season. About the 

 time of pairing, in the latter end of the month of April, 

 they have a call like 'tship, twee, the latter syllable in a 

 fine and slender tone, something again allied to the occa- 

 sional notes of the Red-winged Blackbird, to which genus, 

 (/fi^erws)our Sturnellaisnot very remotely allied. Towards 

 the close of June, little else is heard from the species, 

 but the noisy twitter of the female, preceded by a hoarse 

 and sonorous ^fijiip or ^fip^ accompanied by an impatient 

 raising and lowering of the wings, and, in short all the 

 unpleasant and petulant actions of a brood hen, as she is 

 now assiduously engaged in fostering and supporting 

 her helpless and dependent offspring. 



Their food consists of the larvae of various insects, as 

 well as worms, beetles, and grass seeds ; to assist the di- 

 gestion of which they swallow a considerable portion of 

 gravel. It does not appear that this species ever adds 

 berries or fruits of any kind to his fare like the Starling, 

 but usually remains the whole summer in moist meadows, 

 and in winter retires to the open grassy woods, having 

 no inclination to rob the orchard or garden, and, except 

 in winter, is of a shy, timid, and retiring disposition. 



