494 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



SAVANNA FINCH, or YELLOW-SHOULDERED 



SPARROW. 



(Fringilla savanarum, Gmel. Latham, i. p. 443. No. 31. and Sy- 

 nopsis, iii. p. 270. No. 27. F. passerina, Wilson, iii. p. 76. pi. 24. 

 fig. 5. Phil. Museum, No. 6585.) 



Sp. Charact. — Breast pale brownish-yellow ; line over the eye, 

 shoulder, and lesser wing-coverts yellow ; tail-feathers rather 

 pointed, the outer partly whitish. 



This small Sparrow is a summer resident in the United 

 States, and is likewise, according to Sloane, a common 

 species in the savannas or open glades of the island of 

 Jamaica. From what little is known of it, as a bird of 

 the United States, it appears to remain on the sheltered 

 plains of the sea-coast of New York and New Jersey un- 

 til the very commencement of winter. It is also observ- 

 ed in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, and about the mid- 

 dle of May or later, they are occasionally seen in the 

 gardens of this vicinity, on their way apparently to some 

 other breeding station. On these occasions they perch 

 in sheltered trees in pairs, and sing in an agreeable voice 

 somewhat like that of the Purple Finch, though less vig- 

 orously. In the West Indies, they live much on the ground, 

 and run like Larks, flying low when flushed, and soon 

 alighting. Their nest is likewise fixed on the ground, 

 among the grass, where they collect their usual fare of 

 seeds and insects. It is made of loose, dry stalks of dead 

 grass, and lined with hair and root-fibres. The eggs, 

 5, are of a greyish-white, spotted with brown, and the fe- 

 male has been observed sitting as late as the 1st of Au- 

 gust. They probably retire to the West Indies or Mexi- 

 co to pass the winter, as they are not seen at this season 

 in any of the Southern States. 



The length of this species is from 4^ to 5 inches, alar extent about 

 8. Upper part of the head blackish, divided by a slight pale line; 



