some sparingly dotted and speckled over the whole shell, and some have a wreath of confluent marks 

 about the crown. Others, and this is the usual pattern, have a small patch of confluent marks at 

 the base, and from the periphery of this patch the marks become less and less plentiful as the point is ap- 

 proached. They measure in long-diameter, from .69 to .78, and in short-diameter, from .53 to .58. The 

 average is about .75 x .56. The largest egg of three sets is .77 x .58, the smallest .69 x .53. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



See Yellow-winged Sparrow. 



REMARKS: 



The nest and eggs illustrated on Plate LIU, Fig. 1, were discovered the last of May, 188] . I was 

 walking leisurely along a small ditch which drained a field of wet grass-land, and was just in the act of 

 stepping across it, when a small bird flew from under me. I. stopped, stooped down, and, after some 

 search, found a little nest hidden under a bunch of long grass. I retired a convenient distance and 

 awaited the return of the owner. In about fifteen minutes she came back and entered the nest. I at 

 once approached, so that I could see the bird. My conjecture was verified, it was a Swamp Sparrow. 

 The bird was finally flushed and shot, and the nest and its five eggs were carefully lifted from the 

 ground and carried home. This is the only nest of the species I have found, although I have frequently 

 searched for it. The kind of country inhabited by this Sparrow, its retiring habits, and general incon- 

 spicuousness, all combine to make its home difficult to find, and its habits hard to study. Even in sec- 

 tions where it is common, it is but infrequently seen, and it might breed and remain throughout the year 

 in many localities in the State and escape observation by any one able to distinguish it from other 

 Sparrows. 



In the illustration the nest is shown turned over on its side, as this position better shows its size, 



shape, and structure. It is made principally of coarse grasses and frayed weed-stems a few rootlets are 



to be seen in the foundation, and the lining is composed of grasses. The diameter of the cavity is two 

 inches, its depth, one and one-half inches. When in position, the rim of the nest was on a level with 

 the surrounding sod, and a long tuft of grass concealed it from above, and protected it from the weather. 



During its migration the Swamp Sparrow is seen in uplands as well as in swampy districts, and 

 often in company with other Sparrows. It has no song except during the nesting season. At this time 

 it has an animated melody which it frequently utters from the top of some low bush, very much after 

 the manner of the Song Sparrow, but its notes are by no means so attractive. The history of the 

 domestic life of the Swamp Sparrow is yet to be written. 



186 



