98 Thk Wilson Bulletin — Xo. 71. 



170. Mclospiza (jeorgiana. — Swamp Sparrow. 



Usually common during both migrations in the Cedar Point 

 marshes, but no iwsitive sinnmer records in any part of the region 

 have yet been secured. It is also often common during the spring 

 migration in low, brushy places anywhere. It sings only in pleas- 

 ant weather. Observations at Cedar Point have necessarily been 

 largely conflued to the borders of the marsh, but there are reliable 

 indications that many individuals spend their time among the vege- 

 tation in the more densely grown areas of the marsh. The median 

 date of arrival at Oberlin is April 21, at Cedar Point, March 19. 

 The birds arrive from the north about October first, become com- 

 mon in a week and remain common until the third week of Octo- 

 ber. My last record is November 2G. 1906, at Cedar Point. In the 

 marsh these birds are found in nearly the same situations as the 

 Long-billed Marsh Wren, except that they are more often seen in 

 the fringe of brush along the shore. They are often mistaken for 

 the Wrens by the unwary observer, partly because their song bears 

 some resemblance to the Wren's song.' It is so difficult to make 

 one's way in the marsh in summer that I have so far failed to 

 penetrate to the recesses where nesting birds might be concealed. 

 I am inclined to think that a few pairs breed in the marsh. Song 

 and Swamp Sparrows are often found in the same situations in 

 spring, when they maj^ be readily distinguished by the more mouse- 

 like actions of the Swamp, besides the shorter tail and lack of 

 streaking beneath. 



171. Passcrella iliaca. — Fox Sparrow. 



Often common during the spring migrations, but never more 

 than scattering during the fall migration. Its typical habitat while 

 it is with us is brushy places, either borders of woods, second 

 growth, or even among the scattered brush cut from ti'ees recently 

 felled, especially if the cutting has left open spaces in the woods. 

 It is also found in some numbers along hedge rows and neglected 

 fence lines. The fringing brush of the sand spit is a typical hab- 

 itat, and it is found there in rather more numbers than elsewhere. 

 My records indicate that it is likely to reach the sand spit rather 

 earlier than the Oberlin quadrangle, perhaps a week earlier. The 

 median date of arrival for all records is March 20. The earliest 

 record is March 9, 1908, at Cedar Point. The birds leave for tiio 

 north about April 20 (May 2, 1907), and return about the middle 

 of October (October 2, 1901), and leave at the first touch of win- 

 ter, usually the first week in November. Fox Sparrows are found 

 with other brush-loving sparrows, but I have never seen flocks of 

 them, rather scattered companies. They sing lustily on bright 

 days. I have often seen them feeding with Towhees. 



