BIRDS OP SPRINGFIELD, MASS., ETC. 73 



Baird.) Lincoln's Sparrow. Very rare. Shot one in May, 

 1860, and another May 14th, 1863. No account of its 

 previous capture in New England.* 



124. Helospiza paluslris Baird. (Melospiza palustris 

 Baird.j Swamp Sparrow. Not uncommon in spring and 

 fall, and probably some breed, though I have never taken 

 it later than May 25th. In spring arrives first or second 

 week in April, and appears fully as aquatic as the Water 

 Thrush ( Slums noveboracensis Bonap.^), associating with it 

 about the margins of ponds and streams, hopping in the 

 shallow water, and is very rarely seen away from watery 

 situations ; in autumn is found in bushy marshes and wet 

 places, becoming common about the last week of Septem- 

 ber, and continuing till the last week of October. Said 

 by Audubon to be abundaant, in winter, about Boston. 



125. Passerella illiaca Swain. Fox-colored Sparrow. 

 Abundant in fall and spring, in small parties, scratching in 

 thickets and moist woods. Arrives in fall October 15th; 

 leaves last of November ; appears again early in March, 

 occasionally in February, in open winters, and leaves 

 about April 10th. Often sings finely while here in spring, 

 and sometimes in fall. Audubon was mistaken in saying 

 this species is abundant about Boston, in summer. 



126. Guiraca ludoviciana Swain. Hose-breasted 

 Grosbeak. Summer visitant, breeding in open woods. 

 Not abundant. Arrives May 10th to 15th. One of our 

 most noted woodland songsters, the male occasionally 

 singing while sitting on the nest, both sexes incubating. 

 Nest placed in shrubs and low trees, often in evergreens, 

 six to ten or twelve feet from the ground. Seems to have 

 increased in numbers in the last twenty-five years, in all 

 parts of the State. 



127. Cyanospiza cyanea Baird. Indigo Bird. Not 

 very common summer visitant. Breeds in bushes, near 

 gardens, orchards, edges of woods, and in bushy meadows. 

 Arrives about the middle of May ; leaves middle of $ep- 

 tember. 



* Since the above was written I have taken another specimen (shot May 

 25th, 1864.) It was a female, and the largest eggs contained in the ovary 

 were not bigger than a common pin's head. 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. VOL. IV. J. 



