250 



Biii 



( 'ahoi.ixa 



Fio. 198. Lincoln's Si'akhow. 



244. Melospiza georgiana {Lath.). Swamp Sparrow. 



Descri/didn: Ada. in siiitiiin r. — Crown clK'stmit -rufous; forehead lilaek: a grayish line over 

 the eye; a l)laekisli line behind the eye; nape slaly p-.iy with a few black streaks; feathers of the 

 back broadly streaked with blaek and margined with rufous and ereaiu-bulT or ashy buff; wing- 

 coverts rufous, the greater ones with black spots at their tips; rinnp rufous grayish brown, some- 

 times .streaked with black; tail rufou.s grayish brown, the middle feathers darker along their 

 shafts; throat .and middle of the belly white, breast grayi.sh, sides w.ashed with pale grayish 

 brown. Ads. in winter and Im. — Similar, but the top of the head streaked with black, nifou.s- 

 brown, and grayish; nape less gray; breast washed with brownisli. L., .5.89; \\'., 2.3-1; T., 2.32; 

 B., .-Hi. 



Remarks. — The underparts resemble those of some immature white-throated sparrows, but 

 the wing-liars and the yellow bend of the wing will always distinguish the latter. (Chap., Birds 

 of TC. A'. .4.) 



Range. — Eastern Xorth America, breeding mainly north of the United States. 



Range in A'orth Carolimi. — Central and eastern portions in winter, mountain region during 

 the migrations. 



'^ 



Fifi. 190. SW.\.\11' Si'.iRROW. 



This is a coininon winter visitor in that part of our State lying east of the moun- 

 tains, arriving from the north about the middle of October; and it has l)een found 

 at Raleigh as late as May 19, nearly a month later than the Song Sparrow stays. 



In the mountains it is recorded only from Weaverville, Buncombe County, as a 

 spring transient in late March and .Viiril, and a fall transient in October and 

 Xovem])er. 



The favorite haunts of the Swamp Sparrow are patches of marsh interspersed 

 with low bushes, where it may be foimd hoj^ping abotit on the marsh and always 

 ready to dart for cover upon the approach of danger. 



