340 INSESSORES. 



seen throughout the United States. Its note nearly equals that 

 of the Canary, but is not so sonorous. This bird seems gradu- 

 ally to lose its brilliant tints when caught and caged, as does the 

 PAINTED BUNTING, S. ciris, (Gr. keiris, name of a bird,) of Caro- 

 lina, Louisiana, and South America. In certain lights, the plumage 

 of the Indigo Bird appears of a rich sky-blue, and in others, of a 

 vivid verdigris green ; so that "the same bird, in passing from one 

 place to another, before your eyes, seems to undergo a total 

 change of color." (Wilson.) Its length is five and a half inches. 

 The Painted Bunting is found in the orange groves of the South. 

 It is abundant in the vicinity of New Orleans, where it is caught 

 in trap-cages. 



THE SHORE FINCHES, Ammodramus, (Gr. ammos, sand ; dra- 

 mein, to run,) are found on the Atlantic coast from Texas to 

 Massachusetts, and in summer, in our salt marshes, where they 

 breed. The Seaside Finch, A. marilimus, (of the sea,) feeds 

 chiefly on marine Crustacea, and such insects as are found on the 

 seashore. Its builds its nest on the ground ; and lays from four 

 to six grayish white eggs, speckled with brown. Length from 

 seven to eight inches. The SWAMP SPARROW, A. palustris, 

 forms the principal food of the Sparrow Hawks and Hen- Har- 

 riers. In New York, it is often called the Red Grass-bird. 

 Swamp Sparrows have been found abundantly in the marshes of 

 Cayuga Lake. Their note is a harder tone than that of 

 other Sparrows. The length is about six inches. This bird 

 ranges from Texas to Labrador. It is said to be abundant about 

 Boston during the winter ; has a short, conical bill, higher than 

 broad at the base, unci very acute at the tip. 



THE LINNETS, Linaria, include several species. The BROWN 

 LINNET, L. iinota, is a song-bird common in every part of Eu- 

 rope. Of this Linnet, it has been said, "it is the cleanliest of 

 birds, delighting to dabble in the water, and to dress its plumage 

 in every little rill that runs by. The extent of voice in a single 

 bird is not remarkable, being more pleasing than powerful, yet 

 a large field of furze, in a mild sunny April morning, animated 

 with the actions and cheering music of these harmless little 

 creatures, united with the bright glow and odor of this early 

 blossom, it not without its gratification." 



The Common Linnet frequents commons and neglected pas- 

 tures, and builds its nest in the center of a large and dense brush. 



THE LESSER RED-POLL, L. minor, in length about five inches, 

 and the MEALY RED POLL, L. borealis, in length, five inches and a 

 half, are found within the United States. The Pine Linnet, L. 

 pinus, (Lat. pine,) sings while on the wing, like the Goldfinch. 



