LINCOLN SPARROW. 
583. Melospiza lincolnit. 5%4 inches. 
Upper parts extensively brown and black; breast and 
sides bright buff with fine black streaks. 
These flinches are quite abundant in the West, especial- 
ly during migrations, but are rather uncommon in the 
eastern states. Their habits are similar in some respects 
to both those of the Song Sparrow and of the Grass- 
hopper Sparrow. They are very lively at all times and 
in the mating season quite pugnacious. ‘They sit for 
minutes at a time upon the top of a busn pouring forth 
their melody, and they have one of the most brilliant 
songs of any of the family. 
Song.—Loud, clear and gurgling, after the style of 
the house Wren; call, a metallic chirp. 
Nest.—Of grass, on the ground, in tufts of grass or 
under small shrubs; eggs pale greenish white, heavily 
marked with chestnut (.80 x .58). 
Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. S. to 
Labrador and Alaska; winters in southern half of U.S. 
