Plate LIII. 



Fig. 1. MELOSPIZA PALU8TRIS— Swamp Sparrow, 



The Swamp Sparrow is known in Ohio chiefly as a spring and fall migrant, but it is highly probable 

 that, to a limited extent, it is a permanent resident. I have seen it early in February, and as late as 

 the 10th of November. In the northern counties it is said to breed rather plentifully, and I have no 

 doubt but that it nests in suitable localities throughout the State. In other States, where it has been 

 observed carefully, it generally rears two, and sometimes three, broods during the season. In regard to 

 its nesting habits within the limits of Ohio, I know but very little; and, as there is but little valuable 

 literature upon the subject, I have been obliged to compile the following text from old and recent writ- 

 ings upon the species, as seen in other parts of the United States. 



LOCALITY: 



The nest is generally situated in a swampy piece of land, with small bushes and tussocks of grass 

 scattered here and there. The low, moist places along rivers, creeks, and ponds, with bunches of reeds 

 and water-grasses growing luxuriantly from the rich soil, and, also, swampy prairie lands, furnish many 

 suitable sites. 



POSITION: 



Usually the nest is built on the ground in a slight natural concavity at the foot of a bunch of 

 grass or reeds, or in a tussock. Occasionally it is placed in a low bush, and may be a few inches, or 

 three or four feet, above the ground or water. 



MATERIALS : 



It is constructed of dried grass of various kinds, weed-stems, rootlets, and sometimes weed-fibres. 

 The foundation and superstructure are composed principally of coarse, dead grass, frayed weed-stems, and 

 rootlets, and the lining of well selected grass, or of grass and rootlets combined. It measures, externally, 

 from three and three-quarters to four and a half inches in diameter, by three to three and a half inches 

 in depth. Its cavity measures, in diameter, from two to two and one-quarter inches, and in depth, from 

 one and one-half to two inches. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is four or five. The ground-color of the shell is commonly light bluish-green, but 

 sometimes it is clay-colored, or clouded by a light wash of brown. The markings consist of blotches, 

 spots, speckles, and, rarely, short lines of reddish-brown, sometimes nearly burnt-sie;;na. The deep shell- 

 marks are bluish or purplish, and not abundant. Some eggs are so heavily marked at the base, that the 

 ground-color is obscured, the rest of the shell being but sparingly dotted and speckled. Some are thickly, 



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