FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



315 



Nest, similar to that^pf P. cyanea, in bushes or low trees. Eggs, three to 

 four, white or bluish white, with numerous chestnut or rufous-brown mark- 

 ings, '78 x '56. 



Mr. Maynard found this species in southern Florida in January, but 

 it does not migrate northward until about May 1. He writes that it 

 " is always shy and retiring, seldom appearing in the open, but remain- 

 ing in the dense, thorny undergrowth which covers all waste places in 

 Florida, especially if the soil has been cultivated. Whenever the birds 

 perceive an intruder they retire into the depths of these fastnesses, and 

 it requires considerable beating to drive them out, when they at once 

 dart into the nearest cover. The adult males are especially shy, and 

 seldom show themselves. Even while singing they remained concealed, 

 and, although we were thus furnished with a clew to their whereabouts, 

 it was with the utmost difficulty that we caught sight of the authors 

 of the harmonious strains which nearly always greeted our ears when 

 we were in the vicinity of their homes" (Birds of Eastern North 

 America.) 



"Their notes very much resemble those of the Indigo-bird, but 

 lack their energy and are more feeble and concise " (B., B., and R.). 



The GRASSQUIT (603. Euetlieia bicolor) and the MELODIOUS GKASSQUIT 

 (603.1. E. canora), West Indian species, have each been recorded once from 

 the Florida Keys. 



604. Spiza americana (Gmel.). DICKCISSEL; BLACK-THROATED 

 BUNTING. Ad. $ . Head and sides of the neck ashy gray ; forehead tinged 

 with yellow ; a yellow line over the 

 eye and one on the side of the 

 throat ; a black patch on the throat; 

 chin white ; breast yellow, spread- 

 ing down on to the white belly ; 

 back streaked with black and pale 

 grayish brown ; rump brownish 

 ash ; lesser wing-coverts rufous ; 

 wings and tail fuscous. Ad. 9 . 

 Similar, but the head grayish 

 brown, streaked with blackish, and 

 with no black patch on the throat 

 and less yellow on the breast, which is sometimes lightly streaked with 

 black. Ad. in fall. Much brighter, and with some rufous in the back. L., 

 6-00 ; W., 3-20 ; T., 2-35 ; B., -55. 



Range. Eastern United States, mostly in the Mississippi Valley ; breeds 

 from Texas to Minnesota ; winters in Central and South America ; breeds 

 east of the Alleghanies now only rarely and locally. 



Washington, very rare S. R., a few seen each year; formerly " very abun- 

 dant." Cambridge, casual, found nesting at Medford, June 9, 1877, where 



FIG. 88. Dickcissel. (Natural size.) 



