228 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



like hens ; when disturbed, leaving the ground to eye the in- 

 truder, but, unless pursued, immediately returning to their for- 

 mer occupation. They may often be seen flying across the 

 road or paths, with their broad, white-edged tail wide-spread. 

 They never are gregarious, except so far as to gather in family- 

 parties during the autumn and their migrations at that season. 

 It is not always easy to catch sight of them, particularly when 

 they are near their nests, which they conceal with extraordi- 

 nary care, and often with much success. Though shy, they 

 often seem saucy ; and, while one person complains of their 

 chirruping to and starting his horse, another says that, on the 

 discovery of their nest, they express their sorrow so impu- 

 dently as to rouse his indignation. 



(d). Their most characteristic note is a "tow-hee" of which 

 the last syllable resembles in tone the chirp of the Wilson's 

 Thrush, though sometimes much more petulant. They have 

 also a whistled " whit'-a-whit'-a-whit'," often repeated in the 

 fall, when it sounds quite melancholy, and a loud chuck. The 

 males have a simple but sweet song, often poured out in 

 the early summer from some dilapidated fence or brush-heap, 

 which may be represented by the words " che we we we, wee," 

 the last being an indefinite trill. This chant is frequently pro- 

 longed by the addition of other notes, and, says Mr. Allen, in 

 his "List of the Winter Birds of East Florida," "as is well 

 known, the song of" this bird "at the north consists of two 

 parts, nearly equal in length but otherwise quite different," 

 though in that of "the Florida bird the last half is almost 

 entirely omitted." Mr. Samuels speaks of their having more- 

 over " a quavering warble difficult of description." 



XIX. EUSPIZA 



(A) AMERICANA. Black-throated Bunting. 



(Very rare in Massachusetts, where it has occasionally been 

 found in the summer-season.) 



(a). About 6^ inches long. $. Crown, yellow, rendered 

 olive by an admixture of black, which here and there appears 

 in streaks. Back of the neck, and side of the head, ashy. 



