472 HISTORY OF THE 



Rump grayer than upper tail coverts, both with obsolete dark streaks. There 

 is a whitish maxillary stripe, bordered above and below by one of dark rufous 

 brown, and with another frona behind the eye. The under parts are white; the 

 jugulum and sides of body streaked with clear dark brown, sometimes with a 

 rufous suffusion. On the middle of the breast these marks are rather aggre- 

 gated so as to form a spot. No distinct white on tail or wings. 



"Specimens vary somewhat in having the streaks across the breast more or 

 less sparse, the spots more or less distinct. In autumn the colors are more 

 blended, the light maxillary stripe tinged with yellowish, the edges of the dusky 

 •streaks strongly suffused with brownish rufous. 



"The young bird has the upper parts paler, the streaks more distinct; the 

 lines on the head scarcely appreciable. The under parts are yellowish; the 

 streaks narrower and more sharply-defined dark brown." 



stretch of 

 Length . tving: Wing. 



Male 6.70 8.80 2.70 



Female... 6.35 8.45 2.55 



Iris brown; bill dusky, pale bluish to yellowish at base be- 

 neath; legs and feet light brown; claws a shade darker. 



These hardy birds, during the winter months, frequent in 

 small flocks the thickets and edges of low woodlands, where 

 bordered with rank growths of grasses and weeds; in the sum- 

 mer months, when mated, the more open grounds and marshes. 

 They procure their food almost wholly on the ground; it consists 

 of seeds, tender buds and blossoms of plants, insect life and 

 berries. Their flights are low, short, and rather undulating. 

 They are quite constant and varied songsters. I have often 

 heard them, on warm, sunsliiny days, pour forth their sweet 

 winter song of contentuient; but it does not compare in volume, 

 energy or melody with their love or breeding song: an inde- 

 scribable, characteristic one, that justly entitles them to the name 

 they bear. 



Their nests are placed near the water, usually on the ground, 

 under a tuft of grass, but occasionally in a bush; a compact 

 nest, composed chiefly of grasses, and lined with the slender, 

 hair-like stems. Eggs four or five, . 78x. 59; dull greenish white, 

 spotted and blotched with reddish brown, and a few purplish 

 stains; the markings are pretty evenly distributed over the en- 

 tire egg, in some cases sparingly, in others so thick and confluent 

 as to conceal the ground color; in form, oval. 



