PIliDS OF NELSON COUNTY. 



25 



Genus Passer. 



76. *PAS5er domesticus Auct. English House Sparrow. 



These obtrusive aliens made their appearance here about 

 the year 1879, and are increasing at a rapid rate, and are 

 to be found at several places in the country, as well as in 

 town. They are generally appreciated by the poople at 

 their true value, and are regarded as an unmitigated nuis- 

 ance. Pert and impudent here, as everywhere else, they 

 act as if they owned the town. There must be something 

 wrong about a theory — "survival of the fittest" — that 

 lets this bird live — what are they tit for anyway i 



Genus Passerculus. 



77. Passerculus sandwicbensis savanna (Wilson). Savanna 



Sparrow. 

 Transient ; abundant ; arrives about March 20th. Most 

 common in wet meadows. 



Genus Pooecetes. 



78. * Pooscetes gramineus {Gmel.). Grass Finch. 



A common summer resident ; arrives about the middle of 

 February, and leaves about November 20th. A first-rate 

 songster; although eminently a "ground bird," when- 

 ever one of them experiences the musical impulse he files 

 to the top of the nearest high tree, and perching himself 

 upon the topmost twig " turns himself loose." 



Genus Coturniculus. 



79.' * Coturniculus savannarum (Gmel.). Grasshopper Spar- 

 row. 

 A common summer resident. Fresh eggs found May 20th. 

 I have taken the bird here as late as October 26th. They 

 build on the ground in open fields, and conceal their nests 



