82 



HENSLOW SPARROW. 



547. Ammodramus hensloivii. 5 inches. 



Crown and nape greenish, streaked with black; 

 breast and sides buffy, streaked with black; tail 

 feathers narrow and pointed. 



This species is of a more southern distribution than 

 the last, being rarely found in New England, but quite 

 common in favorable localities south of Virginia. They 

 are usually found in low fields or meadows covered 

 with marsh grass, in which they run and hide, being 

 started with great difficulty. When they are flushed 

 they fly but a few feet before suddenly dropping to 

 earth again. Their nests are very difficult to find, ow- 

 ing to their habit of either refusing to leave or else 

 running a distance from it before flying. 



Note. A sharp tweet, and a weak see-e-e-e-e-rit. 



Nest. Of grasses artfully concealed in tufts of grass 

 or weeds. Their four or five eggs are pale greenish 

 white with reddish brown spots (.75x.55). 



Range. U. S. east of the Plains, wintering in the 

 southern part. 547a. Western Henslow Sparrow (occi- 

 dentalis), which is paler, is found on the Great Plains. 



