208 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



(C) PALUSTRis. Siciwijj Sparroiv. 



(In Massachusetts, on the whole, a common summer-resi- 

 dent.) 



(o). 5i-6 inches long. Crown, ba^' (in ^ in autumn and 

 $ , black-streaked, and divided by a light line). Forehead 

 ("and nuchal patch"?), often black. (Side-markings on the 

 head not prominent.) Side of head, and the breast, warm gray 

 or " ash." Latter sometimes marked with obsolete streaks, 

 which become more distinct on the sides (which are often 

 brown-washed). Chin and belly, almost white. Interscapulars, 

 bay, boldly black-streaked (and pale-edged). Rump the same. 

 Tail not strongly marked ; wings much edged with bay. 



(&). The nest is placed in swamps, and on or near meadows, 

 usually in a tussock of grass, but sometimes in a low bush. 

 It is much like that of the Song Sparrow, and is finished about 

 the middle of May. The eggs of each set, two sets being 

 often laid in the season, are four or five, and average about '80 

 X "CO of an inch. They are white, tinged with gra}-, green, 

 or blue, finelj- marked with brown (and lilac), and irregularly 

 blotched or even splashed, usually more thickly about the 

 crown than elsewhere, with two or three shades of a brown, 

 varying in tint from sandy-brown to umber. I have seen eggs, 

 both of the Song and Tree Sparrows, very closely resembling 

 them. 



(c). There are few things more charming in Nature than 

 her first music in spring ; and the simple chant of the Song 

 Sparrow in March makes the heart gladder than the melody of 

 the Wood Thrush in June. Yet the cheerful song of the 

 former, when first heard to ring through the meadows, inspires 

 but delusive hopes of spring, and it is therefore tliat the sweet 

 but more modest notes of the Swamp Sparrow, heard later, 

 may aflbrd to those who hear them a more lasting pleasure. 

 But this bird is unfortunately almost unknown except to the 

 student of birds, owing to his continual residence in swamps, 

 meadow-thickets, or even marshes, his rareness in man}' places, 

 and above all his shyness. It is, therefore, with pleasure that 



