FRINGILLID^ — THE FINCHES. 35 



wintry months, to high northern latitudes, where some find their way in the 

 breeding-season, extending as far to tlie west at least as the Missouri Eiver 

 region. 



Three specimens were obtained at Fort Simpson, by j\Ir. Kennicott, in Sep- 

 tember, which indicates their probable summer presence in latitude 55°, and 

 their near a])proach to the Pacific coast at the extreme northwestern portion 

 of their distribution. Audubon also met wath them in Newfoundland and 

 in Labrador. They are known to breed as far to the south as Pennsyl- 

 vania. They have been taken in the eastern portion of Nebraska, and breed 

 in considerable numbers in Southern Wisconsin. Further investigations in 

 regard to its distribution will probably show it to be a much more widely dis- 

 tributed as well as a more abundant bird than has been generally supposed. 



Mr. Padgway writes me that this bird winters in Southern Illinois, and 

 remains there very late in the spring, but he thinks that none remain to 

 breed. 



Wilson states that it arrives in Pennsylvania early in April, where it fre- 

 quents low grounds and river-courses, rears two and sometimes three broods 

 in a season, and returns to the South as the cold weather commences. Dur- 

 ing the winter, he met with them in large numbers in the immense cypress 

 swamps and extensive grassy flats of the Southern States, along the numer- 

 ous rivers and rice plantations. These places abounded with their favorite 

 seeds and other means of sustenance, and appeared to be their general 

 places of resort at this season. From the river Trent, in North Carolina, to 

 the Savannah Eiver, and even farther south, Wilson found this species very 

 numerous. They were not found in flocks, but skulked among the reeds 

 and grass, were shy and timorous, and seemed more attached to the water 

 than any others of this family. In April large numbers pass through Penn- 

 sylvania northward. Only a few remain behind, and these frequent the 

 swamps and the reedy borders of creeks and rivers. He found their nests 

 built in the ground, in tussocks of rank grass, surrounded by water, with 

 four eggs of a dirty-white ground, spotted with rufous. He has found them 

 feeding their young as late as the 15th of August. Their food seemed to be 

 principally grass-seeds, wild oats, and insects. He supposed them to haxe 

 no song, and that their only note was a single cJieep uttered in a somewhat 

 hoarse tone. They flirt their tails as they fly, seldom or never take to trees, 

 but run and skulk from one low bush to another. 



Except in regard to their song, Wilson's account of their habits, so far as it 

 goes, is quite accurate, altliough this bird really does have quite a respectable 

 song, and one that improves as the season advances. At first it is only a 

 succession or repetition of a few monotonous trilling notes, which might 

 easily be mistaken for the song of the Field Sparrow, or even confounded 

 with the feebler chant of the socialis, although not so varied as the former, 

 and is much more sprightly and pleasing than the other. Still later its 

 music improves, and more effort is made. Like the Song Sparrow, it 



