PERCHING BIRDS 



549.1. Nelson's Sparrow, 

 nelsoni nelsoni. 



Passerlicrbidii.s 



Range. — Breeds in the fresh water marshes 

 of the Mississippi valley from Illinois to Mani- 

 toba. 



This species is similar to the Sharp-tailed 

 Finch but more buffy on the breast and gener- 

 ally without streaks. The nesting habits arc 

 the same and the eggs indistinguishable. 



51'9.1<T. Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 

 P asserherhulus nelsoni suhvirgatus. 



Range. — Breeds in the marshes on the coast 

 of New England and New Brunswick; winters 

 south to the South Atlantic States. 



This paler variety of Nelson's Sparrow nests 

 like the Sharp-tailed species and the eggs are 

 the same as those of that bird. 



SeasKio Sparrow 



Dusky Seaside Sparrow 



550. Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbiilus maritiums maritimus. 



Range.- — Atlantic coast, breeding from southern New England to Carolina and 

 wintering farther south. 



This sharp-tailed Finch is uniform grayish above and light 

 streaked with dusky, below. They are very abundant in the 

 breeding range, where they nest in marshes in company with 

 mnclacutus. Their nests are the same as those of that species 

 and the eggs similar but slightly larger. Size .80 x .60. 

 Data. — Smith Island, Va., May 20, 1900. Nest situated in tall 

 grass near shore; made of dried grass and seaweed. Collector, 

 H. W. Bailey. 



All the members of this genus have a habit of fluttering out over the water, 

 and then gliding back to their perch on the grass, on set wings, meanwhile 

 uttering a strange rasping song. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub- 

 species are precisely like those of this variety, and they all occasionally arch 

 their nests over, leaving an entrance on the side. 



White 



550a. Scott's Seaside Sparrow. Passerherhulus mmitimus peninsulce. 



Range. — Coasts of Florida and north to South Carolina. Above blackish 

 streaked with brownish gray; below heavily streaked with black. 



550b. Texas Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbiilus maritimus sennetti. 

 Range. — Coast of Texas. Similar to maritimus, but streaked above. 



550c. Louisiana Seaside Sparrow. Passerherhulus maritimus fsheri. 



Range. — Gulf coast. This form is similar to peninsulce, but darker and more 

 brownish. 







341 



