17 



Dimensions.— Axerage measurements of nine specimens : length, 

 5-68; stretch, 9-10; wing, 2G2; tail, 2-09; culmen, -43; gape, -47; 

 tarsus, -80. 



77. Pooecetes gramineus (Gmelin). Bay-wixged Sparrow. 

 A summer resident; breeds. Arrives in March (30, 1878), and sta3's 

 till November. It is found in old, weedy fields, and has a pretty 

 little song in the spring. 



Dimensions.— Awerage measurements of eleven specimens : length, 

 6-12; stretch, 10-35; wing, 8 06 ; tail, 2-38. 



78. Coturniculus passerinus (^Wilson). Yellow-w^ixged 

 Sparrow. A summer resident; breeds. Abundant in most parts of 

 the Hudson Valley. In this vicinity there are few localities which 

 suit its habits, and it is, consequently, rare. Mr. Wm. Church 

 Osborn first apprised me of its occurrence, near Garrisons, in some 

 high, sandy fields, where it breeds every summer. A female shot 

 there, ]May 18, 1878, contained a full-sized ovum. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of three specimens : length, 

 5 38; stretch, 8-52: wing, 2-38; tail, 1-79; culmen, -47; gape, -51; 

 tarsus, -87; middle toe, -57; its claw, -15. 



79. Ammodramus eaudacutus (Gmelin). Sharp-tailed 

 Finch. I have only found it during the month of October (16, 1874; 

 12, 1877), and at a single locality — on the salt marsh that joins Con- 

 sook Island to the west shore.* Mr. Wm. Church Osborn shot a fine 

 male specimen, in the same place, on October 12, 1878. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of two specimens : length, 

 5-50; stretch, 7-50; wing, 2-24; tail, 2-00; culmen, -46; gape, -54; 

 tarsus, -87; middle toe and claw, '80. 



80. Melospiza palustris (mZson). Swamp Sparrow. A sum- 

 mer resident; breeds. Arrives from the south in March, and stays 

 till December. Occasionally seen in early winter. It will probably 

 be found to be an occasional winter resident in the Highlands, as it 

 is lower down the Hudson. It is found in swampy places inland, about 

 the shores of ponds, and, most abundantly, on the salt marshes along 

 the river. It builds its nest in a tussock of grass, and lays its eggs 

 about the last of May (23, 1877). Its song is pretty, and difiers from 

 those of our other Sparrows. Mv. Francis Butterfass showed me an 

 albinistic specimen that was about one-half white, which he shot at 

 Cold Spring, on the Hudson. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of fourteen specimens : length, 

 5-89; stretch, 7 90; wing, 2-34; tail, 2-32; culmen, -46; gape, -49; 

 tarsus, -86; middle toe, -61; middle toe and its claw, -85. 



81. Melospiza fasciata (IFiVso^O- Song Sparrow. An abun- 

 dant resident species; breeds. Always present throughout even the 

 severest winters, in favorable situations; its abundance and disper- 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN. XII 2 



