8 Brown on Birds observed at Coosada, Alabama. 



50. Passerculus savanna (Wils.) Bp. Savannah Sparrow. — 

 Very common during the winter and early spring. Last seen about the 

 middle of April. None heard singing. 



51. Pooecetes gramineus (Gm.) Bd. Grass Finch. — Common at 

 the same time as the preceding. 



52. Coturniculus passerinus ( Wils.) Bp. Yellow-winged Spar- 

 row. — A single male was captured by Mr. Bond, in an open field bor- 

 dering the Alabama River, late in the afternoon of March 1 9. 



53. Coturniculus henslowi (And.) Bp. Hknslow's Bunting. — 

 Ten specimens were taken between the dates of February 18 and April 4, 

 inclusive, in old fields of rice and broom-sedge. 



In the course of a good deal of varied field experience I do not know 

 that I ever met with a bird more difficult to procure, when found, than this 

 one is. Wonderfully adapted as they are for running and dodging about 

 upon the ground, they cannot be made to fly unless come upon abruptly 

 and unexpectedly ; and once under the protecting cover of a patch of 

 bushes, no amount of shouting and thrashing about will avail to get them 

 a-wing. On one occasion Mr. Bond actually trod upon one and caught 

 it alive. Even when once made to fly, — and amongst the luxuriant, tan- 

 gled grass which they most affect they may hardly be shot except on the 

 wing, — their short, low flight is often scarcely more than a respectable 

 jump over the grass-tops. 



There is a general but mistaken supposition that this bird never alights 

 in trees. It does so occasionally, even at quite a distance from the ground. 



Neither song nor call-note was heard from any of the specimens taken 

 by Mr. Bond and myself. The ovary of a female killed April 3 was found 

 to be quite undeveloped. 



54. Coturniculus lecontei (.1ml.) Bp. LkConte's Bunting. — 

 This beautiful bird, which, if I am not mistaken, has never before been 

 detected east of the Mississippi River, was found to be a rare winter visi- 

 tant at Coosada. Seven specimens were taken, — three during the latter 

 half of February, four during the first three weeks of March. In habits 

 they were very like the preceding species, except that they intrusted 

 themselves to longer flights and were found more regularly in and about 

 brier-patches and clumps of low bushes. 



55. Melospiza palustris (Wils.) Bd. Swamp Sparrow. — First 

 seen March 6. Soon became abundant in swampy woods and moist fields. 

 Did not sing. 



56. Melospiza melodia ( Wils.) Bd. Song Sparrow. — Rare dur- 

 ing the winter. On February 27 I heard the first song, and within a few 

 days the birds became quite common, but were not seen after the latter 

 part of March. 



57. Peuceea aestivalis (Lichl.) Cab. Baciiman's Finch. — Appar- 

 ently resident, bul very rare in the winter. Increased in numbers about 

 the first week of March, and finally rather common. But one female was 



