FlUNGILLIDvK — THE FINCIIKS. 



37 



there in luarsliy situations. At Lako Koskonoiij^, in Wisconsin, Mr. Kuni- 

 lien has also met witli tiio.so birds abundantly in suitable localities, and found 

 their nests and ejigs ([uite plentiful. 



Mr. Kidgway has recently found this Sparrow to be a very abundant win- 

 ter resident in Southern Illinois, where it inhabits swampy thickets, and 

 Avhere it remains until ^lay, but is not known to breed there. 



They always nest on the ground, usually in a depression sheltered by a 

 tuft of grass. The nest is woven of line grass-stems, but is smaller than 

 the nest of M. inclodia. 



The eggs of this species, usually five in number, have an .average measure- 

 ment of .7<S by .GO of an inch. Their ground-cohn' is usually a light green, 

 occasionally of a light clay, marked and blotched with reddi.sh and ])urplisli 

 brown spots, varying in size and number, occasionally forming a confluent 

 ring around the larger end. 



Genus FEUC2iA, Audubon. 



Pcucaa, Arn. Synopsi.s, 1839. O'.vpe, Fi-imjilla as/ivalii.) Sci.aif.r & Salvin, 18C8, 

 322 (Syii()iKsi.>i.) 



Grv. Char. Bill niodcriite. Uppor oiitlitio niid comniissiiio docidetUy cni'vod. Leg.*! 

 anil IV'ct witli the claw.s .small ; the tarsn.s 

 about equal to the iiiiildlo toe; the lateiid 

 toes equal, their claws falling considerably 

 short of the middle one ; the hind toe 

 reaching about to the iniddie of the latter. 

 The outstretched feet reach rather beyond 

 the middle of the tail. The wing is very 

 short, reaching only to the base of the 

 tail ; the longest tertials do not exceed the 

 secondaries, while both are not much short 

 of the primaries ; the outer three or four 

 quills are graduated. Tlie tail is consider- 

 ably longer tiian the wings; it is much 



Peitrrrn fPstiralix. 



graduated laterally ; the feathers, though long, are peculiarly narrow, linear, and ellipti- 

 eally rounded at the ends. 



Color beneath plain whitish or brownish, with a more or less distinct dusky line each 

 side of the chin. Al)ove with broad obsolete brown streaks or blotches. Crown uniform, 

 or the feathers edged with lighter. 



Species and Varieties. 



Common CirARACTERS. A light superciliary stripe, with a brownish one below 

 it from the eye along upper edge of ear-coverts (not one along lower edge of 

 ear-coverts, as in Mehspiza). A narrow blackish " bridle " along side of throat 

 (sometimes indistinct). Crown without a distinct median stripe, ami lower jiarts 

 without markings. Ground-color above a.shy, .sometimes of a brownish east ; 

 dorsal region and nape with brown IMotches, with or without dark centres. 

 Crown blacki.sh-brown streaked with a.shy or plain rufous. IJeneath plain 

 brownish-white, lightest on the abdomen, darker across jugulum and along sides. 



