330 SINGING BIRDS. 



remain in the sheltered plains of the sea-coast of New York 

 and New Jersey until the very commencement of winter. It is 

 also observed in the lower parts of Pennsylvania ; and about the 

 middle of May, or later, they are occasionally seen in the gar- 

 dens in Cambridge, Mass., on their way apparently to some 

 other breeding-station. On these occasions they perch in 

 sheltered trees in pairs, and sing in an agreeable voice some- 

 what like that of the Purple Finch, though less vigorously. In 

 the West Indies they live much on the ground, and run like 

 Larks, flying low when flushed, and soon alighting. Their nesr 

 is likewise fixed on the ground, among the grass, where they 

 collect their usual fare of seeds and insects. 



The majority of local students of bird life to-day consider this 

 species more or less common in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 

 and it is known to occur in parts of the more northern New Eng- 

 land States, and in New York, Ohio, Ontario, and Michigan. One 

 example has been taken in New Brunswick. Its supposed rarity 

 by earlier observers was probably due to its usual concealment 

 amid the tall grass and to its lack of an attractive song ; for in spite 

 of Nuttall's assurance to the contrary, modern observers have in- 

 dorsed the opinion expressed by one of their leaders that " its best 

 vocalization is scarcely stronger or more musical than the stridula- 

 tion of a grasshopper." 



HENSLOW'S SPARROW. 



henslow's bunting. 



Ammodramus henslowii. 



Char. Above, streaked with olive brown, bay, and gray; crown olive 

 gray, with two blackish stripes; edge of wing yellow; below, buff, paler 

 on throat and belly; sides of throat and sides of body streaked with 

 black. Length about 5 inches. 



A^est. In a field, concealed amid long grass ; made of grass with a 

 lining of hair. 



E^-^s. 4-5; dull white, sometimes tinged with green, spotted with 

 brown and lilac ; 0.75 X 0.60. 



This species, so much allied to the Yellow-winged Finch 

 discovered by Audubon, is known to breed in New Jersey. 



