34^ SINGING BIRDS. 



NELSON'S SPARROW. 



Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni. 



Char. Differs from the type by the colors of the back being very 

 sharply defined, the white a clearer shade, and the brown a richer and 

 more decided umber ; chest and sides deep buff. Size larger than true 

 caudaaitus. Length about 5^ inches. 



A^est and Eggs similar to caudaaitus. 



Nelson's Sharp-tail was described by Mr. J. A. Allen in 1875. 

 It is found in summer on the marshes of the Mississippi valley, 

 from northern Illinois to Manitoba, and in winter on the Atlantic 

 coast from Massachusetts (sparingly) to South Carolina, and west 

 to Texas. 



SEASIDE SPARROW. 



seaside finch. 

 Ammodramus maritimus. 



Char. Above, dull olive brown, back and head with indistinct streaks 

 of ashy ; superciliary line and edge of wing yellow ; below, dull white, the 

 breast and sides with dark streaks. Length about 6 inches. 



Nest. Hidden amid a tuft of grass or coarse sedges in a salt marsh or 

 wet meadow ; sometimes placed on the ground, often a few inches above 

 it ; composed of dry grass. 



Eggs. 4-6 ; dull white with green or buff tint, spotted with brown ; 

 0.80 X 0.60. 



This species is not uncommon in the maritime marshy 

 grounds and in the sea islands along the Atlantic coast from 

 Massachusetts to the Southern States. It confines its excur- 

 sions almost wholly within the bounds of the tide-water, leav- 

 ing its favorite retreats for more inland situations only after 

 the prevalence of violent easterly storms. In quest of marine 

 insects, Crustacea, shrimps, and minute shell-fish, it courses 

 along the borders of the strand with all the nimbleness of a 

 Sandpiper, examining the sea-weeds and other exuviae for its 

 fare ; it seeks out its prey also at dusk, as well as at other 

 times, and usually roosts on the ground like a Lark. In short, 

 it derives its whole subsistence from the margin of the ocean, 



