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THE SAVANNAH FINCH. 



Fringilla Savanna, Wils. 



PLATE CIX. Male and Female. 



This species is one of the most abundant of our Finches. It is also 

 one of the hardiest, standing the winter of our Middle Districts, ranging 

 as far north as Labrador, and crowding our old fields and open woods 

 of the south, from October to April. It is nearly allied to the Yellow- 

 Winged Sparrow and Henslow's Bunting, but differs from both in many 

 important particulars. 



It confines itself principally to the ground, where it runs with ex- 

 treme agility, lowering its body as if to evade your view, and when in 

 danger hiding as closely as a mouse, nay, seldom taking to wing, unless 

 much alarmed or suddenly surprised. It is fondest of dry, rather ele- 

 vated situations, not very distant from the sea shore, and although it 

 travels much, I have never found one in deep woods. During winter it 

 associates with the Field Sparrow and Bay-winged Sparrow, and with 

 these it is often seen in open plains of great extent, scantily covered with 

 tall grasses or low clumps of trees and briars. Regardless of 'man, it ap- 

 proaches the house, frequents the garden, and ahghts on low buildings 

 with as little concern as if in the most retired places. 



It migrates by day, when it suffers from the attacks of the Marsh, 

 the Pigeon and the Sharp-shinned Hawks, and rests on the ground 

 by night, when it^is liable to be preyed upon by the insidious Minx. 

 Its flight, although rather irregular, is considerably protracted, for it 

 crosses I believe without resting the broad expanse of the Gulf of St 

 Lawrence. In June 1833, I found it gradually moving northward as 

 I advanced towards the country of Labrador ; and although a great num- 

 ber tarry and breed in all intermediate places from Maryland to that 

 dreary region, I saw them there in abundance. 



The nest of the Savannah Finch is placed on the ground at the foot 

 of a tuft of rank grass, or of a low bush. It is formed of dry grasses, 

 and is imbedded in the soil, or among the grass, the inner part being 

 finished with straw and blades of a finer texture. The eggs, from four 

 to six in number, are of a pale bluish colour, softly mottled with pur- 



