LINCOLN'S SPARROW. 65 



Lincoln's Sparrow. 



Melospiza lincolni 

 Plate XV Fig. 1. 



Differs from the Song Sparrow in being more yellowish 

 ashy above and in haviog a broad band of bufty across breast 

 which extends along the sides. The streakings below, are 

 rather narrower than those of the Song Sparrow. There are 

 two rufus bands on the crown. Young are darker buff below. 



Dimensions. Length, 5.45 ; stretch, 8.45 ; wing, 2.65 ; 

 tail, 2.25 ; bill, .45 ; tarsus, .75. 



Comparisons. Known from other Sparrows by its general 

 resemblance to the Song Sparrow, combined with the buff on 

 breast and sides. 



Nests and Eggs. Nests placed on the ground, usually in 

 swampy places, composed of leaves, grasses, etc. , lined with 

 finer material. Eggs, four or five in number, oval in form, 

 pale green in color, thickly spotted and dotted with reddish 

 brown. Dimensions, .76 by .67 . 



General Habits. Lincoln's Sparrow is, when with us, a 

 retiring bird, keeping well down among swampy thickets. 

 It occurs regularly however, as a spring and autumnal migrant 

 but is quite local in distribution. In Eastern Massachusetts 

 it has been found for many years at Cambridge and Concord. 

 In general habit, it quite closely resembles the Swamp Sparrow, 

 but in flight, is more like the Song Sparrow. 



None of this species have been known to breed in New Eng- 

 land, for almost all pass far north of us in summer, reaching 

 quite to the Arctic Region, but the neat has been found in 

 the Adirondacks. 



