266 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



225 [549] Ammodramus caudacutus (Gmel.). 

 Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



Very common summer resident ; May 24 to November 8. 

 Eggs : June 8 to July 12. 



The Sharp-tailed Sparrow is one of the most interesting inhabitants of the 

 salt marshes, on the edges of which it builds its nest in tussocks of grass, raised 

 a few inches to escape the unusual tides, or concealed in the dead "thatch." 

 The birds appear to be distinctly social. In some localities several pairs are 

 often found breeding together, while other localities, apparently equally favor- 

 able, are deserted. They may be found in all parts of the marshes, but they 

 are particularly fond of the upper or black-grass region. 



Sharp-tailed Sparrows are rather difficult birds to observe, especially if they 

 are vigorously followed, as they then lie close, and when flushed, soon drop into 

 the grass and instantly conceal themselves. If, however, the observer keeps 

 still the birds often become quite tame and display their interesting habits. 

 They run through the grass like mice, with heads low, occasionally pausing to 

 look around, and stretching up to almost double their running height. They 

 occasionally alight in bushes or small trees, and I have seen them running about 

 a stone-wall near the marsh like mice. They fly low and alight by dropping 

 suddenly into the grass with their tails pointed down. 



Their song might easily be passed by unnoticed, so unlike is it to a bird's 

 song, resembling most closely the plunging of hot iron into water. It may 

 also be likened to the rubbing of a canoe over stiff thatch-grass, or the sink- 

 in 0, of the boot into the oozy marsh. When the listener is near at hand two 

 sharp ticks may be heard afterwards. Sometimes the ticks precede although they 

 may be omitted entirely. The curious song may be written thus, gshshhhh swik 

 ivik, and is delivered with considerable emphasis, the main hissing part being 

 audible to the distance of one hundred yards. It is frequently repeated, and 

 occasionally has almost a trilling character. The song is generally delivered 

 from the ground, but occasionally while the bird is flying. The call notes are 

 sharp chips or cliucks. 



The birds often manage to keep out of sight while on the wing, by flying 

 along ditches overgrown by grass, so that unless one knows how to look and 

 listen for them, they may remain an unknown quantity. 



The only bird except the Acadian and Nelson's Sharp-tails in the Essex 

 County marshes with which the Sharp-tailed Sparrow could be confused is the 



