554 NORTPI AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Gosse. It is scarcely possible to distiiiguisli these Jamaican specimens from 

 examples from the Eastern Province of the United States, though minute 

 differences are observable. Their size is somewhat smaller, but they are resi- 

 dent in the region wliere obtained ; and the shades of color are just appre- 

 ciably darker. There are, however, no differences sufficient to justify retain- 

 ing the name tixicrus, to designate even a variety. 



All the specimens in the collection from ^Mexico and Guatemala are in 

 tlie autumnal or winter dress, so that it is probable that they are not resi- 

 dent there; they appear to be identical with North American specimens, and 

 referrible to the variety 2^as!i<:''i)^i(s as restricted. 



Between summer and winter specimens great differences are observable ; 

 in the former season the edges of the feathers become worn, so that often the 

 chestnut spots disappear entirely, while the other markings become poorly 

 defined, leaving the black blotches pred(nninant. 



H.VBiTS. The common Yellow-winged Sparrow appears to be a bird of 

 irregular and unequal distribution, found in certain localities in great abun- 

 dance, and not seen in the intervening districts. According to some writers, 

 it is partial to sandy places near the sea, and this is certainly true of tlie 

 neighborliood of New York City, and also of a large portion of the New 

 Jersey coast. It is likewise the case in certain portions of Eastern Massa- 

 chusetts, as, according to Mr. ilaynard, this spcjcies is very numerous in 

 Nantucket, where it breeds abundantly. I ha^•e never met w'nh this Sparrow 

 in ilassachu.setts, except in a single instance, near Boston, nor in any collec- 

 tions of eggs ha\e I seen any that I supposed could Ijc tliose of this species ; 

 yet ill the western part of the State, according to Mr. Allen, it is an abun- 

 dant summer visitant, arriving there about the first week in May, and leav- 

 ing early in Sejjtendjer, breeding in dry fields ami pastures, and raising two 

 broods in a season. According to Mr. Roardman, it is an occasional \isitaut 

 in the neighborhood of Calais, yet rare ; arriving there the first of April, five 

 weeks earlier than it shows itself in Springfield. Yet that this bird has 

 ever been met with between Boston and Calais does not appear. It was not 

 seen in Western Maine by Professor Verrill. 



In the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., tliis bird appears also to be a not un- 

 common summer resident. In 18G0, I received from ilr. T. S. Brandigee 

 several nests found in that neighborhood. They were all constructed on the 

 ground, in a field of thin grass, and tlieir to])s were all nearly covered over. 



Dr. Heermann states that he found this Inrd a not uncommon species, in 

 the sunnner season, near San Antonio ; and Mr. 1 )re.sser silso procured a speci- 

 men there in the early summer. Dr. Lincecum mentions it as a common 

 resident in Washington County, in the same State. He describes it as a 

 close-hiding Grass Span-ow, running on the ground in tlie manner of a mouse, 

 and never seen to alight on trees. Dr. Cones speaks of it as .a resident 

 species in South Carolina, especially abundant during the period of migra- 

 tion. 



