506 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



This species is not uncommon in the maritime marshy 

 grounds, and in the sea islands along the Atlantic coast, 

 from Massachusetts to the Southern States. It confines 

 its excursions almost wholly within the bounds of the 

 tide-water, leaving its favorite retreats for more inland 

 situations only after the prevalence of violent easterly 

 storms. In quest of marine insects, Crustacea, shrimps, 

 and minute shell-fish, it courses alonor the borders of the 

 strand with all the nimblenessof a Sandpiper, examining 

 the sea-weeds and other exuviae for its fare ; it seeks out 

 its prey also at dusk, as well as at other times, and usu- 

 ally roosts on the ground, like the Lark. In short, it de- 

 rives its whole subsistence from the margin of the ocean; 

 and its flesh is even imbued with the rank or fishy taste 

 to be expected from the nature of its food. At other 

 times it remains amidst the thickest of the sea-grass, and 

 climbs upon the herbage with as much dexterity as it 

 runs on the ground. Its feet and legs, for this purpose, 

 are robust, as in the Swamp Sparrow. According to 

 Audubon, they nest on the ground, in the bushy parts of 

 the salt marshes which are elevated above the flow of the 

 tides. This habitation is made of coarse grass and lined 

 with finer portions of the same. The eggs are 4 to 6, 

 greyish-white, speckled over with brown. They appear 

 to rear two broods in the season. 



The length of this species is 6^ inches. Chin white, bordered by 

 a cinereous stripe ; crown brownish-olive, with a stripe of cinereous. 

 Above yellowish-brown olive, varied with pale greyish-blue ; greater 

 and lesser coverts tipt with dull white ; primaries edged with yellow 

 beneath the coverts. Bill dusky above, paler below. Legs and feet 

 pale bluish- white. Irids hazel. — The sexes nearly alike. 



