15'2 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



'^10. (583.) Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.). 107. 

 Lincoln Sparrow. 



Synonyms: Fringilla lincolnii. 



Lincoln's Finch, Lincoln's Song Sparrow. 

 Wheaton, Ohio Agri. Report, 1874, 566. 



Little seems to be known of this sparrow. Its close re- 

 semblance to Song Sparrow probably causes it to be con- 

 fused with that species. It is nowhere common in the 

 state, even during the height of the migrations. It does 

 not breed with us, but passes north. I have usually found 

 it in low brushy woods, rarely in the fields bordering woods. 

 It skulks about in the grass and weeds more than the Song 

 Sparrow, and has a very different song. One would not 

 confuse the two a second time. Rev. Mr. Henninger re- 

 gards it as common during the migrations in Scioto county. 



It arrives in southern Ohio early in April, but Lorain 

 county records all fall in May. It is not unlikely that the 

 birds passing up the Scioto river are earlier than those 

 which travel overland to reach Lorain county. The birds 

 stay but a few days and pass north. In the autumn they re- 

 turn late in September or early in October. 



211. (584.) Melospiza georgiana (Lath.). 106. 

 Swamp Sparrow. 



Synonyms: Melospiza palustris, Fringilla palustris, F. georgi- 

 ana. 

 Swamp Song Sparrow, Spotted Swamp Sparrow. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 164. 



The Swamp Sparrow is so much confused with the Song 

 and other brush-haunting sparrows that it is difficult to 

 determine its exact standing. Judging from the reports it 

 is not common during the migrations. It is reported as 

 breeding near Circleville, by Dr. Howard Jones, who found 

 a nest in May, 1881, which contained five eggs. The bird 

 was shot.* I have looked for it in vain from Cleveland to 

 Sandusky on the lake shore, in summer. My own experi- 

 ence with it would indicate that it is fairly common during 



*Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Ohio Birds, p. 186. 



