LINCOLN SPARROW. 



583. Melospiza lincolnii. 5ft inches. 



Upper parts extensively brown and black; breast 

 and sides bright buff with fine black streaks. 



These finches are quite abundant in the west, es- 

 pecially during migrations, but are rather uncommon 

 in the eastern states. Their habits are similar in some 

 respects to both those of the Song Sparrow and of the 

 Grasshopper Sparrow. They are very lively at all 

 times, and in the mating season, quite pugnacious. 

 They sit for minutes at a time upon the top of a bush 

 pouring forth their melody, and they have one of the 

 most brilliant songs of any of the family. 



Song. Loud, clear and gurgling, after the style of 

 the house Wren; call, a metallic chirp. 



Nest. Of grass, on the ground in tufts of grass or 

 under small shrubs; eggs pale greenish white, heavily 

 marked with chestnut (.80x.58). 



Range. N. A., breeding from northern U. S. to 

 Labrador and Alaska; winters in southern half of 

 U. S. 



