128 YELLOW-WINGED SPARROW. 



intervals grow clumps of low wax myrtle shrubs. During the warm summer weather 

 there is but little variety of animal life to be found on these commons, as they are termed, 

 for the soil being dry the heat is great, and the vegetation withers affording but little shelter 

 even for birds. There are some, however, of this latter named class which appear to pre- 

 fer that of kind country. These are the Yellow-winged Sparrows, and it will be difficult to 

 find in any given area, a greater number of individuals of any one species of Fringilline 

 birds than are found there, for they fairly swarm. When one is walking across the plains 

 they will start up everywhere, and often a half dozen males may be heard singing at one 

 time. I say singing, but hasten to correct myself, for, although the birds are perched on 

 the highest elevations that they can find on their domains (which, however, seldom exceed 

 a foot in height), while the ruffled feathers, bowed head, and wide-spread tail indicate that 

 they are doing the best in their power to bring forth a melodious carol, the feeble sound 

 produced by all these vigorous efforts is so low that it is quite inaudible at a few rods dis- 

 tance, and more nearly resembles the stridulation of a locust than the song of a bird. 

 This unsuccessful attempt is rendered only the more ludicrous by the important air which 

 the bird assumes at the time, and this sputtering chant appears to please them greatly for 

 they often utter it. Indeed they are seldom quiet, being engaged in their melodious efforts 

 constantly during the cool of the day, and even performing when the noon time heat is so 

 great as to be nearly suffocating, especially on the sandy wastes where they live. In addi- 

 tion to this uncouth song they give a series of chattering, scolding notes when greatly 

 annoyed. These sounds are more often uttered when any one approaches the vicinity of 

 the nests. 



The Yellow-winged Sparrows breed early in June, as I found the young newly fledged 

 by the first of July, but they lay a second litter, and I took a nest containing five newly 

 laid eggs on the third of this month. The female ran from the nest, as I approached the 

 spot, without uttering a cry, feigning lameness, but almost instantly hid herself in a neigh- 

 boring bush. The nest was placed in a depression of the soil, and was so completely 

 concealed by the overhanging grass that, had the bird remained on it I should not have 

 observed it, although I was passing within a few feet and carefully scanning the ground 

 as I walked. 



Although abundant on Nantucket, these birds are not very common elsewhere in east- 

 ern Massachusetts, but are more numerous further west, and in Pennsylvania where they 

 are found in considerable numbers. They also occur in the pine woods of Florida, and I 

 even found them on a grassy mound near an abandoned, half completed fort at Key West. 

 I never heard them sing in Florida, but judge that they are constant residents there. They 

 are migratory in other sections, arriving in the north about the first of May, and leaving 

 early in November, proceeding leisurely on their southern migration. This species is sel- 

 dom if ever found in flocks, nor do they accompany other Sparrows. At this season they 

 are very shy, keeping in the grass, through which they run nimbly, and from which it is 

 very difficult to make them rise; then when on the wing, they will plunge into the nearest 

 place of concealment. 



