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FRINGILLA MELODIA— WILSON. 



SONG FINCH. 



Fringilla melodia, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Fringilla melodia, Bonap. Syn. 



Common Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia, Nutt. Man. 



Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — A curving black band on the side of the 

 neck ; breast and sides broadly streaked with dark brown, shaded 

 with red, the feathers on the fore part of the breast more broadly- 

 marked, forming a conspicuous spot. Adult with the upper parts 

 yellowish-gray, streaked with brownish-black and brownish-red j 

 upper part of the head reddish-brown, streaked with black, with a 

 medial band of grayish-blue ; a similar band on the sides of the 

 head, becoming much broader as it passes behind the eye — direct- 

 ly below this band a line of dusky brown ; a similar line from the 

 base of the lower mandible on the sides of the neck ; throat white, 

 with a broad band of dusky on each side ; lower parts white ; fore 

 part of the breast and sides of the body streaked with reddish and 

 dusky brown ; quills dark brown — tail feathers lighter. Length 

 six inches, wing two and five-eighths. 



This, one of our most numerous Sparrows, is distributed through- 

 out the United States. Although plainly attired, it is much admired 

 for its agreeable song, which commences earlier in spring, and 

 continues later in autumn, than that of any of our songsters. In 

 winter it inhabits, in company with other species, the sheltered 

 swamps in the Southern States. It breeds in various parts of the 

 Union, constructing its nest on the ground, sometimes in a low 

 bush, and rears two broods in a season ; it prefers low, swampy 

 situations, and feeds on seeds, berries, and insects. A few remain 

 with us during winter ; at this period it becomes quite familiar — ■ 

 approaches the door-yard, and sometimes enters the farm-house, 

 picking up crumbs and whatever articles of food chance may throw 

 in its way — and at that inclement season, on bright mornings, 

 mounted on a stake or brush pile, it sings cheerfully. 

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