FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 291 



winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Apl. 2 to Nov, 4. Cambridge, 

 very common S. K., Apl. 5 to Oct. 15. 



Nest^ of rather coarse grass, lined with finer grasses, rootlets, and long 

 hairs, on the ground. Eggs^ four to five, bluish white or pinkish white, 

 speckled and spotted with rufous-brown or umber, 1-83 x -61. 



In walking through dry upland fields or along dusty roadsides a 

 rather pale, streaked Sparrow will sometimes run rapidly ahead of 

 you, wait for you to catch up, then run ahead again. It is best to be 

 content with what measure of his confidence and society he voluntarily 

 grants you, for, if you quicken your steps and try to overtake him, he 

 will rise and bound on before you or swing off to one side, showing, as 

 he flies, the white feathers on either side of his tail. 



Frequently he will alight on a fence rail or even the higher branch 

 of a tree, for, although a field Sparrow, he is by no means a purely ter- 

 restrial one. When singing, he generally selects an elevated perch and 

 gives himself entirely to his musical devotions. Early morning and 

 late afternoon are his favorite hours, but he can be heard at other 

 times. His song, which is loud, clear, and ringing, may be heard at 

 a distance of several hundred yards. It resembles that of the Song 

 Sparrow, but is sweeter and more plaintive. When heard in the even- 

 ing it is a truly inspired and inspiring melody. 



541. Ammodramus princeps (i/ay/^.). Ipswich Spakrow. Ad. — 

 Generally with a spot of sulphur-yellow before the eye and on the bend of 

 the wing; upper parts pale brownish ashy, streaked on the head, back, and 

 upper tail-coverts with black and cinnamon-brown; the nape and rump with 

 few or no streaks; a white line over the eye; wings grayish brown, outer 

 webs of greater coverts and tertials margined with pale ochraceous-bufi"; tail 

 grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers margined with brownish ashy; 

 under parts white ; breast and sides lightly streaked with blackish and 

 ochraceous-buff. L., 6-25 ; W., 3-00 ; T., 2-25 ; B., -40. 



Range. — Breeds on Sable Island ; winters southward along the coast regu- 

 larly to Virginia and rarely to Georgia. 



Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. 



Those who care to visit in winter the bleak, wind-swept sand 

 hillocks of our Atlantic coast will find this bird much less rare than 

 it was once supposed to be. It never strays far from the waving tufts 

 of coarse beach-grass that scantily cover the sand drifts, and single in- 

 dividuals may be found skulking among such surroundings. They 

 seldom allow a near approach, but fly wildly away to considerable dis- 

 tances, and on alighting run off so rapidly that they are difficult to 

 find a second time. The flight is rapid and irregular, and the birds 

 may easily be mistaken for Savanna Sparrows, with which, during the 

 migrations, they are sometimes associated. On rare occasions a sharp 

 chirp is heard, but as a rule they are silent. 



