296 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



Remarks. — The chief points of difference between this and the two fol- 

 lowing birds are found in the markings of the breast and sides. In the pres- 

 ent species these parts are pale ochraceous-butf, distinctly streaked with 

 blackish ; in nelsoni they are deep ochraceous-buff, lightly if at all streaked ; 

 in suhvirgatus they are cream-buff, indistinctly streaked with grayish. 



Range. — Atlantic coast ; breeds from South Carolina to New Hampshire, 

 and winters from North Carolina to Florida. 



Cambridge, common S. R., May to Sept. 



Nest., of grasses and seaweed, lined with fine grasses, on the ground. Eggs^ 

 three to four, white or grayish white, finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, 

 especially at the larger end, -78 x -57. 



This species is confined exclusively to the salt-water marshes of our 

 coast, where it may be found in large numbers. It runs about among 

 the reeds and grasses with the celerity of a mouse, and is not apt to 

 take wing unless closely pressed. Mixed flocks of the several varieties 

 of the Sharp-tail, together with the Seaside Sparrow, gather in the fall 

 among the sedges, and may be observed hiding in the grass or cling- 

 ing to the tall stalks of the cat-tails. In the breeding season it is 

 usually associated with the Seaside Sparrow on the same marsh, but 

 it prefers the drier parts, and builds its nest in the tussocks on the 

 bank of a ditch or in the drift left by the tide, rather than in the 

 grassier sites chosen by its neighbor. 



From some bit of driftwood or a convenient stake its infrequent 

 song may be heard morning and evening. It is short and gasping, 

 and only less husky than the somewhat similar performance of the 

 Seaside Sparrow. J. Dwight, Jr. 



549a;. A. C. nelsoni Allen. Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, — Sim- 

 ilar to A. caudacutus., but smaller, the upper parts darker, the feathers of 

 the back more olive-brown and more hroa.di\j margined with whitish ; the 

 throat, breast, and sides deeper ochraceous-buff, very slightly if at all streaked 

 with blackish. " L., 5-50 ; W., 2-25 ; T., 1-90 ; B., -43 " (Dwight). 



Range.— ^reed^ in the marshes of the interior from northern Illinois 

 northward to Dakota and Manitoba ; occurs as a migrant on the Atlantic coast, 

 and winters from South Carolina to Texas. 



Washington, rare T. V., two instances, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably com- 

 mon T. v., Sept. 28 to Oct. 17. 



This interior representative of the Sharp-tailed Sparrow occurs on 

 our coasts only as a migrant and winter visitant. It associates with 

 the Sharp-tailed and Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



549b. A. c. subvirgatus Dwiqlit. Acadian Sharp-tailed Spar- 

 row. — Similar to A. caudacutus., but with the throat, breast, and sides washed 

 with cream-buff and indistinctly streaked with ashy. " L., 5*55 ; W., 2-30 ; 

 T., 2-00; B., -46" f Dwight). 



Range. — " Marshes of southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, 



