FRIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. HI 



May, and begins to sit upon the eggs about the first of June. It is slightly 

 gregarious just as it is preparing to leave, but at all other times is to be met 

 with only in solitary pairs. 



The Ground Kobin is iu many respects one of the most strongly character- 

 ized of our North American birds, exhibiting peculiarities in which all the 

 members of this genus share to a very large degree. They frequent close and 

 sheltered thickets, where they sjiend a large proportion of their time on the 

 ground among the fallen leaves, scratching and searching for worms, larvii;, 

 and insects. Though generally resident in retired localities, it is far from 

 being a shy or timid bird. I have kno\\n it to show itself in a front yard, 

 immediately under the windows of a dwelling and near the main street of 

 the village, where for liours I witnessed its diligent labors in search of food. 

 The spot was very shady, and unfrequented during the greater part of the 

 day. It was not disturbed when the members of the family passed iu or out. 



The call-note of this liird is very peculiar, and is variously intei-preted in 

 different localities. It has always appeared to me that the Georgian jo-reet 

 was at least as near to its real notes as tow-hee. Its song consists of a few 

 simple notes, which very few realize are those of this bird. In singing, the 

 male is usually to be seen on the top of some low tree. These notes are 

 uttered in a loud voice, and are not unmusical. Wilson says its song resem- 

 bles that of the Yellow-Hanmrer of Europe, but is more varied and mellow. 

 Nuttall speaks of its notes as simple, guttural, and monotonous, and of its 

 voice as clear and sonorous. The song, which he speaks of as quaint and 

 somewhat pensive, he describes as sounding like t'slid-witce-fe-fe-te-te-te. 



Wilson says this bird is known in Pennsylvania as the " Swamp Robin." 

 If so, this is a misnomer. In Xew England it has no predilection for low 

 or moist ground, and I have never found it in such situations. Its favorite 

 haunts are dry uplands, near the edges of woods, or high tracts covered with 

 a low brushwood, selecting for nesting-places the outer skirts of a wood, 

 especially one of a soutliern aspect. The nest is sunk in a deju-essiou in 

 the ground, tlie upper edges being usually just level with the ground. It is 

 largely composed of dry leaves and coarse stems as a base, within which is 

 built a firmer nest of dry bents well arranged, usually with no other lining. 

 It is generally partially concealed by leaves or a tuft of grass, and is not 

 easily discovered unless the female is seen about it. 



Dr. Cones says these Buntings are chiefly spring and autumnal visitants 

 near Washington, only a few breeding. They are \^ery abundant from Ajjril 

 25 to j\Iay 10, and from the first to the third week of October, and are 

 partially gregarious. Their migrations are made by day, and are usually in 

 small companies in the fall, but singly in the spring. Wilson found them in 

 the middle districts of Virginia, and from thence south to Florida, during 

 the months of January, February, and March. Their usual food is obtained 

 among the dry leaves, tliough they also feed on hard seeds and gravel. Tliey 

 are not known to commit any depredations upon harvests. They may be 



