DIRECTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 2O7 



in northern S. A. ; goes south in early Oct. ; comes north in 

 early May. Frequents meadows and moist, grassy fields; 

 gregarious when migrating. A Fig. 271. 



well known rollicking song, a 

 blackbird-like chirp, and a metal- 

 lic clink when migrating. 



F. SPARROWS A1ST> 

 FINCHES. Fringlllidae. 



Kather robust birds of varying 

 sizes, but never very large, having 

 conical bills, which are deeper at 

 the base than one half the length 

 and have the cutting edge of upper 

 mandible angled, consult diagram 

 on page 8 for these and other char- 

 acters. A wide spread family with 

 numerous species. CC, E, k, 1. 



a. Silk Bunting's. Spiza. 



Medium sized sparrows with rather thick bills, long 

 pointed wings and nearly square tails. Streaked above not 

 below. 



Fig. 272. 1. BLACK-THROATED BUNTING, S. 



AMERICANA. 6.75 ; ashy-yellow above ; streaks, 

 dusky ; white beneath ; yellow on breast and 

 under wings ; black spot on throat, fig. 272. 

 Female duller. Breeds in U. S. between the 

 Alleghanies and the Rockies, now rare in the 

 eastern section. Winters in Mexico and Cen- 

 tral America. Nests in trees and bushes ; eggs r 

 3 to 5, bluish-green, unspotted. Song,' a lisp- 

 ing twitter. 



b. Arboreal Sparrows. Spizella. 



Small sparrows streaked above, plain be- 

 CC, 1. 1-4. 



1-4. 



