190 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



(c). The Lark Finches, since but one specimen has been 

 taken in this State, namely, at Gloucester, in 1845, have no 

 more claim to be considered or treated as birds of Massachu- 

 setts, than a Turk who passes a day and night at Paris to be 

 called a Frenchman ; but, in conformity to the strict but not 

 unreasonable demands of modern science, I shall give a brief 

 account of its habits, formed from the observations of other 

 naturalists. The ' Lark Finches feed principally upon seeds 

 which they obtain upon the ground. The} r are most abundant 

 in prairies and other open lands, though they also visit trees, 

 or resort to their immecffate neighborhood. In general habits, 

 they resemble the White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichioe^ next 

 to whom they should properly stand). Mr. Ridgway considered 

 their delightful song, which is usually delivered from a perch, 

 as the finest belonging to the finches. 



IX. AMMODROMUS 



(A) MARITIMUS. Sea-side Finch. 



(Almost wholly absent from Massachusetts, though said by 

 Dr. Coues to be, or to have been, abundant in New Hamp- 

 shire.) 



(a). About six inches long. Tail-feathers narrow and 

 pointed, as also in caudacutus. Superciliary line from bill to 

 eye, and edge of the wing, yellow. Upper parts, and side- 

 shading below, brown or gray, olive-tinted, the former more or 

 less streaked. Under parts, white ; breast tinted with brown, 

 and faintly or obsoletely streaked. Wings and tail, plain, 

 scarcely marked. Side-markings on the head, vague. 



(6). "The nest is usually placed in a tussock of grass, in 

 the fresh water marshes, or on the sea-shore beyond the reach 

 of high-tide." The eggs measure about -80 X "57 of an inch, 

 and are white, gray-tinged, thickly, finely, and most often 

 evenly marked with brown, which is sometimes confluent or 

 predominant at the crown. 



(c). I regret that I know nothing of the habits of the Sea- 

 side Finches, and that I cannot add to what has appeared in the 

 various meagre accounts of these birds already published. 



