TICHICRO. 243 



certain localities; it is sometimes seen in open 

 pastures, running on the ground, but more fre- 

 quently in fields of guinea-grass. In a grass-piece 

 at Peter's Vale, it may be found at all times of the 

 year, frequently rising from behind a tussock just 

 before the traveller's feet, flying a little way with 

 feeble wing, and then sinking among the high grass, 

 where it will remain, until one again come close to 

 it, for it seems little inclined to flight. I have 

 several times seen a single one by the sides of the 

 road to Savanna-le-Mar, where it passes through 

 the marshy flats of Paradise ; and occasionally one 

 frequents the pasture of Bluefields. I have never 

 observed it on a tree, nor even on a bush, except on 

 one occasion, early in March, when one was sitting 

 on the log-wood fence at Paradise, warbling sweetly, 

 and fearlessly continuing its song, though myself 

 and two other persons stood looking at it within 

 two or three yards. More frequently it utters its 

 warbling chant sitting on a flat stone, or on the bare 

 ground among the grass tufts. Its song is melo- 

 dious, but simple ; consisting of a few notes rapidly 

 repeated in a single strain, pettichee, pettichee, 

 pettichee, when it is silent for a moment, and begins 

 again. This, as far as I am aware, is peculiar to 

 the vernal season ; at other times it has a singular 

 call, as it skulks in its grassy coverts, cro-cro- 

 tichicro, whence its provincial name. 



I have been able to learn nothing of the nidifica- 

 tion of this Sparrow ; its small size, sombre plum- 

 age, and retiring habits have prevented its obtain- 

 ing much notoriety ; indeed it was unknown to Mr. 



M 2 



