LINCOLN SPARROW. 

 583. Melospiza lincolnii. 5% inches. 



Upper parts extensively brown and black; breast and 

 sides bright buff with fine black streaks. 



These flinches are quite abundant in the West, especial- 

 ly 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 Grass- 

 hopper 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 busn 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 ( .80 x .58 ) . 



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

 Labrador and Alaska; winters in southern half of U. S. 



