948 REPORT or STATE GEOLOGIST. 



Length, 4.80-5.85; wing, 2.12-2.23', tail, 1.90-2.25; bill, .53-.59. 



RANGE. Eastern United States. Breeds in interior locally from 

 northern Illinois north to Manitoba. Winters from South Carolina 

 to Texas. Found along the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts south 

 during migration. 



Nest and eggs, unknown; probably similar to those of A. caudacutus. 



Migrant and possibly a summer resident locally in the northwestern 

 part of the State where, only, it has been observed within our limits. 

 Nelson's Sparrow was discovered by Mr. E. W. Nelson in the Calumet 

 marsh, near Chicago, 111., September 17, 1874. They were then 

 abundant there. June 12, 1875, he found several of these birds in the 

 dense grass bordering Calumet Lake, where they were undoubtedly 

 breeding. October 1, next, they were abundant in the Calumet marsh, 

 and November 10 following they were numerous in the wild rice bor- 

 dering Grass Lake, Lake County, 111. (Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. VIII., 

 1876, p. 107). 



Mr. H. K. Coale informs me that he saw about a dozen Sharp-tail 

 Finches, A. nelsoni, in the grass along Berry Lake, Lake County, 

 Ind., September 25, 1875. Dr. A. W. Brayton informed me he had 

 taken this species in Lake County, Ind. These are the only two In- 

 diana records. 



Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr., considers it now very rare in Cook County, 

 111., where he thinks it probably breeds. The only locality where he 

 has found it is on the wet prairies bordering the east shore of Calumet 

 Lake. There he collected two birds September 19, 1893. Mr. Eliot 

 Blackwelder, however, reports it from the vicinity of Morgan Park, 

 September 28, 1895, where he says it is not common and breeds. I 

 have a specimen from Hyde Park, 111., taken September 21, 1878, 

 about which time Mr. G. F. Clingman took five specimens in a week 

 at Mud Lake. 



Mr. Nelson says: "They are difficult to obtain, as they take refuge 

 in the dense marsh grass upon the first alarm. Occasionally one 

 mounts a tall reed and utters a short, unmusical song, slightly re- 

 sembling that of the Swamp Sparrow (M. palustris)" Mr. Nehrling 

 says: "In northern Illinois and near Lake Koshkonong and in the 

 Horicon marshes in Wisconsin this is an abundant summer resident" 

 (N. A. Birds, Pt. X., p. 92). It appears to be extremely local in its 

 distribution in the breeding season. 



