

^^ 



BACHMAN'S SPARROW. 



SUMMER FINCH. 

 Peuc^a ^STIVALIS BACHMANII. 



Char. Above, rufous streaked with black and ash; lines over the 

 eyes ash ; edge of wing yellow ; below, buff, sides shaded with ash, breast 

 with brown. Length 6^ inches. 



A'est. In open grassy woodland, half-cleared field, or old meadow; 

 placed on the ground ; made of dry grass or mixed with roots ; sometimes 

 the top is roofed, the entrance at the side. 



Eggs. 4-5; white; 0.75 X 0.60. 



This interesting species was first made known to Audubon 

 by Dr. Bachman, who found it near the Edisto River, and 

 afterwards breeding in the vicinity of Charleston, South Caro- 

 lina, in the pine barrens. The discoverer remarks of this 

 bird : " When I first heard its notes they so nearly resembled 

 those of the Towee Bunting that I took it to be that bird. As 

 soon as it is seen in the tall pine-trees where it usually sits to 

 warble out its melodious notes, it darts down and conceals 

 itself in the rank grass, through which it runs off like a mouse, 

 and is flushed with difficulty." It is believed to breed on the 

 ground. It is said to be the finest songster of the Sparrow 

 family in the United States. Its notes are loud for the size of 

 the bird, and heard nearly alone in the region it frequents. 

 About the month of November it proceeds to migrate farther 

 south, though a few stragglers still remain throughout the 

 winter. According to Latham, its nest is usually on the ground 

 among the grass, under small bushes ; it is composed of dry 



