177 



583. Lincoln's Sparrow, fr. — le pinson db Lincoln. MelospizaUncolni. L, 5'75. 

 Like the Song Sparrow but with a belt of buffy across the breast which is marked also 

 with small, fine spots. 



Distinctions. The above distinctions will separate Lincoln's from all other sparrows 

 it may be confused with. 



Field Marks. A good view will show the faint buff breast and fine spotting. Other- 

 wise it is with difficulty separated in life from the Song Sparrow. The back is rather 

 greyer than the Song Sparrow and this often arouses a suspicion of the presence of 

 Lincoln's Sparrow that may be confirmed by other characters. 



Nesting. Similar to that of the Song Sparrow, on ground. 



Distribution. The species is distributed all over America, breeding in the northern 

 coniferous woods. 



SUBSPECIES. Eastern and extreme western Lincohi's Sparrows can be differen- 

 tiated into two subspecies. The form occupying the territory here treated is the Eastern 

 Lincoln's Sparrow M. I. lincolni, the tjqjical race. 



Though a rare sparrow it is an interesting one. It has reduced hiding 

 in brush to as fine an art as any bird. When first disturbed it hops to a 

 branch, where it obtains a good view, regards the intruder for an instant, 

 and then dives into the tangle and is gone. The most diligent search 

 thereafter gives no more than a fleeting ghmpse of a brown shadow dis- 

 appearing into the nearest brush pile. The species is a passing migrant 

 through the settled sections of Canada and is rare. 



584. Swamp Sparrow, fr. — le pinson des marais. Melospizageorgiana. L,5"89. 

 Much like the Song Sparrow, but of stronger and less blended coloration and without 

 any distinct breast streaks or markings. 



Dis*',tctions. The Swamp Sparrow is difficult to separate from several other forma 

 comparable in both colour and size. It may be distinguished from the Song Sparrow, 

 most likely to be confused with it, by the unstreaked breast, and, in adult birds, by the 

 red crown. Young autumn birds strongly resemble juvenile White-throats but lack the 

 faint yellow loral spot, are not as evenly ruddy on the back, and usually have a suggestion 

 of an ashy bar across the shoulders at the base of the neck, an ashy cast to the crown, and 

 eyebrow lines that are absent in that species. It can be told from the Tree Sparrow by 

 the Uck of the dark middle breast spot or of the white wing-bars. 



Field Marks. Its resemblance to a Song Sparrow without breast streaks, the lack 

 of the yellow loral spot of the White-throat or the wing-bars of the Tree Sparrow. In 

 summer when the Tree Sparrow is not present the red cap is distinctive. 



Nesting. Nest similar to that of the Song Sparrow, on ground, sometimes in the 

 grass. 



Distribution. North America east of the prairies, breeding in most of the inhabited 

 parts of Canada. 



As its name implies this is a bird of the swamps and marshes. The 

 long grass and shrubby edges of marshes are its typical haunts. Late in the 

 autumn it joins the large mixed flocks of sparrows in the brush heaps and 

 tangled fence rows and then comes into closer contact with man. 



Economic Status. The food habits of the Swamp Sparrow are not very 

 different from those of other comparable sparrows. Owing to its living 

 in waste places it is not important. 



585. Fox Sparrow, fr. — le pinson fauve. Passerella iliaca. L, 7 26. A rather 

 large sparrow. Above, bright reddish-brown, solid on tail and rump but with dull slaty 

 showing through the red on hind neck and crown. Below, white heavily spotted and 

 streaked with red like back, on sides of throat, across breast, and on flanks. The throat 

 is almost free from markings and the spots tend to aggregate on the breast in a centre 

 spot. 



Distinctions. Rather large size and gene ral bright foxj^ red coloration are distinctive. 



Field Marks. Rich red coloration, especially on rump and tail. The Hermit Thrush 

 has a similar appearance as it flies, but the upper back is more olivaceous. 



Nesting. On ground or in low trees and bushes, in nest of coarse grasses lined with 

 finer grass, hair, moss, and feathers. 



