206 LAND-BIRDS. 



twenty-third of that month, a nest was found containing freshly 

 laid eggs. As well-grown young were also then observed, they 

 doubtless reared two broods ; and certainly until the latter 

 part of August they remained in the fields where they had 

 built their nests. Although they were eminently terrestrial 

 in habits, and fed and nested on the ground, yet they not un- 

 f requently alighted on the fences between the pastures, and by 

 the roadsides, or rarely on the telegraph-wires. They were 

 very nimble on the ground, often chasing the insects that con- 

 stituted their chief food ; and usually, when frightened from 

 their nests, they feigned lameness, and endeavored to lead one 

 from the spot, whereas the Bay-winged Buntings generally 

 flew at once to some near fence. Unlike these latter, they 

 did not often venture to the roads, except when, autumn draw- 

 ing near, they associated with the " Grass Finches," and fol- 

 lowed their habits more closely than during the breeding sea- 

 son. In September they seemed less numerous than in July, 

 but wandered much more freely over the country. 



In Massachusetts, a few stay until November, but a major- 

 ity pass to the southward earlier, and I have never known any 

 to spend the winter in New England. There is nothing very 

 characteristic in their flight, which is usually short and low. 

 They are often shy, and can never be closely approached when 

 on the ground ; and, though they sometimes feed in gardens 

 near houses or barns, they commonly prefer the more remote 

 fields, where civilization is not busy. 



d. Their notes are interesting, as distinct from those of 

 other birds, and, so far as I know, are appreciably like only 

 those of the Yellow-winged Sparrows. Besides a low chip (?) 

 they have a peculiar chirp, which one might reasonably attrib- 

 ute to some loud-voiced cricket or beetle, and which also bears 

 resemblance to the "Night Hawk's" ordinary cry. Their 

 song-notes are very characteristic, and are drawlybut musical. 

 They nearly resemble the syllables chip-chirr, sometimes ex- 

 tended to chip-chee, chee-chee-chirr* or so varied as to be a song. 

 In describing three common birds, frequently confused by 

 the ignorant or inexperienced, namely, the Savannah Finch, 

 the Bay-winged Bunting, and the Song Sparrow, I have en- 



