In Marsh and Swamp. 305 



migrations they are often associated with both the Sharp-tailed Finch and 

 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. 



Nelson's Sharp-tailed Finch or Sparrow is rather smaller than the Sharp- 

 tailed Finch, being about five inches and a half long. The upper parts are 

 Nelson's Soarrow ""^^^^^ darker and olive brown in color, and the margins 

 Ammodramus caudacutus of wliitisli to each feather are broader. The Lnocr parts, 

 except the whitish belly and feathers below the tail, are 

 deep buff with little or no black streaking. 



These birds are the representatives of the Sharp-tailed Finch breeding 

 on the fresh water marshes of the interior from Northern Illinois north to 

 Dakota and Manitoba. 



In their migrations they are found on the Atlantic seaboard from the 

 Carolinas to New England, and they winter on the Atlantic Coast and Gulf 

 Coast from South Carolina to Texas. During their migrations and in winter 

 they are often found associated with the Sharp-tailed Finch. 



In the spring and fall migrations Rusty Blackbirds are found in pairs or 



small companies in meadows and such swamps as are more or less covered with 



Rustv Blackbird '°^ growths of bushes. Now and then I have found them 



scoiecophagus caroiinus feeding, iu dryer places, on ripe dogwood berries, but the 



fMuii ). earth is their general feeding ground, where seeds, small 



fruits, insects, and worms are their diet. 



