FRINGILLID^ — THE FINCHES. HI 



May, and begins to sit upon the eggs about the first of June. It is slightly- 

 gregarious just as it is preparing to leave, but at all other times is to be met 

 with only in solitary pairs. 



The Ground Eobin is in many respects one of the most strongly character- 

 ized of our North American birds, exhibiting peculiarities in which all the 

 members of this genus share to a very large degree. They frequent close and 

 sheltered thickets, where they spend a large proportion of their time on the 

 ground among the fallen leaves, scratching and searching for worms, larv£e, 

 and insects. Though generally resident in retired localities, it is far from 

 being a shy or timid bird. I have known it to show itself in a front yard, 

 immediately under the windows of a dwelling and near the main street of 

 the village, where for hours I witnessed its diligent labors in search of food. 

 The spot was very shady, and unfrequented during the greater part of the 

 day. It was not disturbed when the members of the family passed in or out. 



The call-note of this bird is very peculiar, and is variously interpreted in 

 different localities. It has always appeared to me that the Georgian jo-reet 

 was at least as near to its real notes as tow-hee. Its song consists of a few 

 simple notes, which very few realize are those of this bird. In singing, the 

 male is usually to be seen on the top of some low tree. These notes are 

 uttered in a loud voice, and are not unmusical. Wilson says its song resem- 

 bles that of the Yellow-Hammer of Europe, but is more varied and mellow. 

 Nuttall speaks of its notes as simple, guttural, and monotonous, and of its 

 voice as clear and sonorous. The song, which he speaks of as quaint and 

 somewhat pensive, he describes as sounding like fsJid-ivitee-te-te-te-te-te. 



Wilson says this bird is known in Pennsylvania as the " Swamp Eobin." 

 If so, this is a misnomer. In New England it has no predilection for low 

 or moist ground; and I have never found it in such situations. Its favorite 

 haunts are dry uplands, near the edges of woods, or high tracts covered with 

 a low brushwood, selecting for nesting-places the outer skirts of a wood, 

 especially one of a soutliern aspect. The nest is sunk in a depression in 

 the ground, the upper edges being usually just level with the ground. It is 

 largely composed of dry leaves and coarse stems as a base, within which is 

 built a firmer nest of dry bents well arranged, usually with no other lining. 

 It is generally partially concealed by leaves or a tuft of grass, and is not 

 easily discovered unless the female is seen about it. 



Dr. Coues says these Buntings are chiefly spring and autunnial visitants 

 near Washington, only a few breeding. They are very abundant from April 

 25 to May 10, and from the first to the third week of October, and are 

 partially gregarious. Their migrations are made by day, and are usually in 

 small companies in the fall, but singly in the spring. Wilson found them in 

 the middle districts of Virginia, and from thence south to Florida, during 

 the months of January, February, and March. Their usual food is obtained 

 among the dry leaves, though they also feed on hard seeds and gravel. They 

 are not known to commit any depredations upon harvests. They may be 



