2^2 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



238 [584] Melospiza georgiana (Lath.). 

 Swamp Sparrow. 



Abundant summer resident (winter); April 8 to October 31 (January 10). 

 Eggs : May 17 to July 14. 



The January record was made by Mr. C. E. Brown, of Beverly, who shot 

 the bird in 1902. 



Although I have not infrequently seen the bird elsewhere, the Topsfield 

 marshes of the Ipswich River, the home of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, are 

 also the home of this bird. Here they are to be found breeding in large num- 

 bers, and, like their neighbors the Wrens, they sing at all hours of the day and 

 night, although they are not quite as nocturnal as that bird. They also have 

 several other of the Wren's characteristics. Like the Wrens and other marsh- 

 loving birds, their backs are of a deep chestnut brown. Full of energy, they 

 resemble the Marsh Wrens in flying about on quivering wings, in chasing each 

 other, in diving into the grass, and especially in their scolding notes, one of 

 which is a chattering tzee. Their songs, which vary very much, sometimes 

 resemble closely the chappering song of the W'ren. The common song is like 

 a musical Chipping Sparrow's song, but it varies from a very dry trill to a deep 

 melodious one. I have heard one sing delightfully sweet sweet sweet, and 

 another in a neighboring bush trilling like a Chipping Sparrow, while a third 

 near at hand sang like a " glorified Chippy." On rare occasions one may hear 

 a faint, sweet, beseeching warble. They occasionally, like the Wrens and many 

 other birds, fly up, and pour forth their song on the descent, — the flight song. 

 I have known two experienced ornithologists to shoot Swamp Sparrows, having 

 mistaken them for Marsh Wrens. How much of this resemblance is due to 

 similar environment and how much to imitation, is an interesting matter for 

 speculation. 



239 [585] Passerella iliaca (Merr.). 

 Fox Sparrow. 



Abundant transient visitor; March 12 to April 20 (May 2); October 15 

 to November 16 ; average date of arrival for five years, March 20. 



