THE BIRD BOOK 



602. Sharpe's Seed-eater. Sporophila 

 morelleti morelleti 



gfCB 



Range. — Eastern Mexico, breeding north to 

 the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 



This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5 

 inches in length, and in plumage is black, white 

 and gray. In restricted localities in southern 

 Texas, they are not uncommon during the sum- 

 mer months. They build in bushes or young 

 trees at low elevations making their nests of 

 fine grasses or fibres, firmly woven together 

 and usually placed in an upright 

 crotch. The eggs are pale 

 greenish blue, plentifully speck- 

 led with reddish and umber 

 brown, and some markings of 

 lilac. Size .65 x .45. Data. — 

 Brownsville, Texas, May 7, 1892. Greenish blue 

 Nest of fine fibre-like material lined with horse 

 hairs, on limb of small tree in open woods near 

 a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground. 

 Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. This set is in 

 the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. 



[603.] Grassquit. Tiaris bicolor. 



Range. — This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to south- 

 ern Florida. 



They are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, with a 

 .small entrance on the side. They lay from three to six white eggs, specked with 

 brown. Size .65 x .50. 



[603.1] Melodious Grassquit. Tiaris canora. 



Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like 

 the last. 



Painted Buntinj 



604. Dickcissel. Spiza americana. 



Range. — Interior of the United States, breed- 

 ing from the Gulf to northern United States, 

 west to the Rockies, east to the Alleghanies. 



A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast 

 patch, line over eye and on side of throat; 

 throat black, chin white and wing coverts chest- 

 nut. These sleek-coated, harmoniously colored 

 birds are very common in dry bush-grown pas- 

 tures and on the prairies. 

 ^*<f*f^~~- They are very persistent 



singers, and their song, while 

 very simple, is welcome on 

 hot days when other birds 

 are quiet. They nest any- 

 where, as suits their fancy, 

 on the ground, in clumps of 

 grass, in clover fields, bushes, 

 low trees, or in thistles. The nests are made 

 of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined 

 with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are 

 bluish white. Size .80 x .60. 



368 



Bluish whit* 



