APPENDIX 703 



Ci i/r:. Adult in rri::(j. AKovc, including tlio outer cdgr? rf llic tril lo;it'-.r;>, i\n<l rar covcvt?. ycllirtvish-iuf.m^, 

 Willi tl.c rcmaiudei- cf tl.e win;s iind tail, and top cf Lead ftvcr.l;cd vriLli dark bu.v.n. Supcrcilary and niaxijtoiy lines, 

 ';):'.co back of ear coverts, r.nd bend across breast, buff. Median lino, extending I'rom bill to occiput, ashy. Beneath. 

 ^v;iito, r.njly streaked on t'lo breast, sides, and flanks with dark-lirown, wliile tliere is a buffy tinge on tlie two latter and 

 1 n the under tail coverts; t':crc are also a few dusky stveakings below the maxillary lines. Edge of wing, j'ellow. Bill, 

 brovcn, lighter at base (fljvrer mandible. Feet, brown. * 



Adult in winter. Has a greenish tinge to the plumage above, the ashy median line is clearer, the buffy markings on 

 the head are yellower anil the tinging on the sides and flanks, stronger. The ear coverts are ashy, the feathers of the scap- 

 ularies are edged with white and the dark mark markings lielow are broader. 



Young. Similar to the above, but with a brownish hue on the toji of the head which completely obscures the streak- 

 ings. The dark markings above are not as prominent Imt the white edgings are broader. The buffy tinging licneath 

 i 1 more extended and the streakings are not as clear. 



Young of the year. Very nucli tinged with greenish above where the feathers show ashy edgings. The streakings bo- 

 l.iw are nearly obscured, while the buffy tinge is extended over the throat and ear coverts. 



Nestlinqs. Birds in this stage present quite a singular appearance being buffy above and below, broadly streaked on 

 the upper parts with dark-brown and more finely below in a similar manner as the adult. The tail feathers are not nearly 

 as accuminate. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



The breadth of the streakings below vary with individuals as do also those above, and one specimen has a yellow line 

 f;om base of upiJcr mandible to point over the eye, as in the preceding species. This bird presents a singular variety ot 

 markings, from the Cret to the final plumage. As will be seen, the streakings above and below are at first ]jromincnt then 

 become nearly obsolete, only to come out broad and clear after the next moult, when they gradually narrow down to the 

 adult stage. The luiff, however, which at first tinges the entire bird, grows gradually less until it only covers restricted 

 areas. Beadily dLstinguisbed from all othere by the buff markings as described. Found in summer along the coast from 

 Maryland to New Hampshire, and in some of the large marshes of the interior. Winters from the Carolinas to Middle 

 Florida and on the Northern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. 



DUIENSIONS. 



Average measurements of twenty-five specimens. Length, 5-50; stretch, 7'70; wing, 2-45; tail, 1-77; bill, •47; tarsus, 

 •77. Longest specimen, 5-85; greatest extsnt of wing, 8-10; Imgest wing, 2-76; tail, 2-10; bill, •SS; tarsus, 'SS. Shortest 

 .specimen, 5'1j; s-.uillj;t extent of win^, 7'33; s'lortjst wing, 2-15; tail, 1'45; bill, '40; tarsus, ^70. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



AVs/.s, placed on t'le ground. They are loosely constructed, being composed of grass lined with finer. Dimensions; 

 external diameter, 4-00, internal, 3^00. External depth, 2^50, internal, 1-50. 



Eggs, four or live in number, rather elliptical in fonii, pale-blue in color, spotted and dotted quite finely with rufous. 

 Dimensions fr.mi -75 x ^55 to "SOx •60. 



HABITS. 



The salt marshes which border the coast of Massachusetts are usually comparatively 

 solid or at least firm enough to bear the weight of a man, but some spots are very peculiar 

 l)eing composed of soft mud overlaid with sod. Thus these slough, as they are termed, 

 !ire very deceptive, as the surlace which looks solid to the eye proves very yielding to the 

 feet and the imwary pedestrian finds himself submerged to the armpits in soft slimy ooze, 

 (he odor of which is only exceeded by its pertinacity in adhering to the clothing. These 

 singular phu-cs are doubtless the remains of lagoons or small bays, that have been sur- 

 rounded by the slowly forming marshes which have gradually encroached upon the space 

 occupied by the water. Indeed this transformation of water into earth may be plainly 

 seen in progress, for some portions are not even covered with vegetation, others merely 

 support the sod; while small peninsulas have made out which are firm enough to walk 

 upon. These iire covered with a species of short, wiry grass that grows very thickly and, 

 a^ it is never cut, the dead growth of previous seasons accunuilatcs, forming a mat. The 

 ins(H!urity of tlie footing prevents cattle or other mammals from wandering on such places 



