478 BLACK SNuxvnwn. 



onwivrd, almost to tlie li.ii'iit, wc turned sudilculy to the right ;inil entered ii creek, whiedi 

 leads back of the isLind, idong which we gliiled, lor a mile or so, then cast anchor near a 

 large plantation. Going ashore we landed in a fine grove ol' live oaks which were heavi- 

 ly draped with long streamers of Spanish mos.^. These were hung so thickly that, to- 

 getlicr with the dense foliage, they rendered the light quite obscure, and it was not until I 

 had gone some distance that I observed that I had entered (.)ne of those small cemctaries, 

 so common in the South. Emerging fro::i thooC gloomy shades I entered an adja,cent cot- 

 ton fndd, from whicli a large tlock of Sparrows started. Among them were several Snow- 

 birds, which, true to their instinct, instantly made for the trees and concealed themselves 

 in tlie long moss. This is tlie farthest point south that I have ever found them, but Mr. 

 Bo;irdiaa,n records them as common in I'Lirida dairing some sciisons. 



As aljove kitimated, the Snowbirds iuiuitlvcdy seek prot(;ction by concealment, Avhen 

 dishirbcd. They always exliibit this trait, and, in sections where there are no heavily fo- 

 liagcd trees, ol' which tliey can avail themselves, will take shelter under brush heaps or 

 in thickets. This habit is acquired while th(>y are among the spruces and liemlo(,'ks of 

 their n:)rthern homes. 



In the South, and during the autumnal migration, the males have no other notes than 

 the sharp cry of alarm, which is often n^pcated several times in rapid succession until it 

 becomes almost a twitter, but during the northern journey they indulge in a very melo- 

 dioas warble. This lay is (nily heard on those still, April mornings, when all the earth is 

 steeped in sunshine; when the bursting Imds are disclosing tlie delicately tinted leaves; 

 when the grass on the southern slopes is showing its most brilliant green, and the balmy 

 breath of the coming spring is quietly awakening all vegetation to a renewed life; then the 

 Snov\d3irds, as if influenced by the surrounding tranquillity, gently pour forth their low 

 melody. Then we hear them at their ])est, for strangely enough wlien the summer has 

 fairly come, and all other birds are full of harmony, our little white-breasted friends for- 

 get the pleasant strains that they practiced earlier in the season, and only trill a series of 

 harsh chipping notes, which, when compared witli their former efforts, is to say the least, 

 very inharmonious. 



This species usually breeds on the ground, but Mr. II. B. Bailey found a nest at Up- 

 ton, jMaine, placed on the limb of a spruce, four feet frona the ground. The eggs are de- 

 p limited about the first week in June, but a second litter is sometimes laid in July. Tho^ 

 yoang accompany their parents when they associate with the White-throated and other 

 Sparrows, migrating with them in September, and remaining with them, often in fliudv;-. 

 all winter. 



(!ENUS V. SI'TZELLA. THE TRUE SPARROWS. 



(<F.s. Cn. Bil/, i>riin/'(l. Winrjs, lone/. Tail, x<itjhl};i J'orkid. Corac<iii/s, shorter than the top oj krit, which k 

 hi lirr than one half t hi- ii'iilth of sternum. Size, medium, never renj small. 



,\ll the species are iliill in cnbir, streaked above, Iiut n it li.-l.iw, in tlie adult stage of plumage, There arc never any 

 < i.n'i])ii u.ms white markings i,n t''i' tail. 



T!icre are quite a largo u;r.ii'i 'v uf spoeies in tliis g,>nus liut t'lcy are quite easily distinguished, as the spccilie cliarac- 

 tei-s arc \cry distinct. 



