THE BIRD BOOK 



Lincoln's Sparrow 



583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni 

 lincolni. 



Range. North America, breeding from 

 northern United States north to the Arctic re- 

 gions; most abundant in the interior and the 

 west; rare in New England. 



This bird is shy and retir- 

 ing and skulks off through 

 the underbrush of thickets 

 and swamps that it frequents 

 upon the approach of anyone; 

 consequently it is often little 

 known in localities where it 

 is quite abundant. They nest 

 on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely 

 in bushes. Their eggs are very similar to 

 those of the Song Sparrow, three or four in 

 number, greenish white in color, heavily spot- 

 ted and blotched with chestnut and gray. Size 

 .SO x .58. 



Greenish white 



alto , 



583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni striata. 



Range. Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. 



Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those 

 of the last. 



584. SWAMP SPARROW. Melospiza georgiana. 



Range. North America, east of the Plains, breeding from 

 middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay. 



This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy 

 places where it breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not 

 commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests are 

 made of grasses and located on the ground usually in places 

 where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs are 

 similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally Greenish 

 darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55. 



585. Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca iliaca. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding r~- 



from southern Canada northward, and north- 

 west to Alaska; winters in southern United 

 States. 



This large handsome species, with its mot- 

 tled grayish and reddish brown plumage and 

 bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern 

 United States during migrations, being found 

 in open woods and hedges in 

 company with Juncos and 

 White-throated Sparrows, 

 with which species their song 

 vies in sweetness. They nest 

 usually on the ground, but 

 sometimes in low bushes ; the 

 nests are made of grasses and Greenish 

 are concealed beneath the 

 overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. 

 The three or four eggs are greenish-white, 

 spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 x .68. 



356 



Swamp Sparrow 



