NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 321 



Islands, where it nests among the tall grass and in the low shrubbery. 

 Eggs similar to those of M.fasciata^ but averaging larger, .89X.65. 



583. Melospiza lincolni (Aud.) [234.] 



liincoln's Sparroiv. 



Hab. Entire of North America, breeding from the Northern border of the United States northward, 

 and South in higher mountain ranges. 



Lincoln's Finch is found throughout North America at large 

 breeding sparingly in the United States from Wisconsin and Northern 

 New York northward, and in the west as far south as the mountains of 

 Southern Colorado. Breeds not uncommonly in the valleys of Oregon. 

 From its habit of skulking through the underbrush and shrubbery of 

 marshes, more like a mouse than a bird, it is seldom seen, and conse- 

 quently it seems to be little known. Nests on the ground like the 

 Song Sparrow. Mr. Norris has two sets of the eggs of Lincoln's 

 Sparrow taken in Boulder county, Colorado, on June 22, and July 18, 

 respectively. One of the nests was placed in a mossy bank among 

 small swamp bushes, and composed entirely of grasses ; the other was 

 built at the base of an aspen tree. The eggs of one set, three in 

 number, are light greenish-white heavily marked, principally at the 

 larger end with chestnut and lavender-gray; sizes .81 x. 58, .81X.59, 

 .82 X .60. The nest taken June 22 is of four eggs ; these are light pea- 

 green thickly marked with chestnut and measure, .79X.58, .76X.57, 

 .Six. 58, .79X.57- 



584. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) [233.] 



S-nramp Sparrcw* 



Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States northward; west to the Plains, 

 casually to Utah. 



The Swamp Sparrow breeds from the Northern United States 

 northward. On account of its secretive and retiring habits, the bird, 

 its nest and eggs are very apt to escape notice unless perseveringly 

 hunted and purposely looked for. 'The Swamp Sparrow dwells in the 

 deep recesses of marshy thickets environed with a canopy of tangled 

 foliage, whose treacherous quagmire abounds in a luxuriant growth of 

 wild grasses. In these retreats the bird may exist in abundance and 

 still be considered rare in certain localities where it has been over- 

 looked. Its neat, trim form and tasteful colors render it one of the 

 handsomest smaller Sparrows. 



The Swamp Sparrow builds its nest on the ground in low, damp 

 places; in construction and composition it is like that of the Song 

 Sparrow and the eggs of the two species are somewhat similar. 

 Those of M. georgiana^ however, may generally be distinguished by 

 the peculiarly clouded and indistinct appearance of the markings. The 



22 



