268 



North American Birds Eggs. 



581.1. Kadiak Island Song Sparrow. Melospiza cinerea insignis. 

 Range.— Kadiak Island, Alaska. 

 Similar to and nearly as large as the next species, but browner. 



582. Aleutian Song Sparrow. Melospiza cinerea. 



Range. — Found on nearly all the islands of the Aleutian group, excluding 

 Kadiak. 



This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8 

 inches in length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty 

 Song Sparrow but grayer. It nests either on the ground or 

 at low elevations in bushes, the nest usually being con- 

 cealed in a tuft of grass or often placed under rocks or, 

 sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are 

 made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar 

 [Bluish white 1 ''^ those of the Song Sparrow but much larger and more 

 elongate. Size .90 x .65. 



583. Lincoln Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnU. 



Range.— North America, breeding from northern United States north to the 

 Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and tlie west; rare in Xew England. 



This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off tlirough the 

 underbrush of thickets and swamps that it frequents upon the 

 approach of anyone; consequently it is often little known in 

 localities where it is quite abundant. They neston the ground 

 like Song Sparrows, and rarely in buslies. Their eggs are 

 very similar to those of the Song Sparrow, three or tour in 

 number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched [(Jreenish white.] 

 with chestnut and gray. Size .80 x 58. Data.— Estes Park, Colorado, June 20, 

 1890. Nest of grass placed on a slight elevation in swampy marsh. Collector, 

 Wm. G. Smith. 

 583a. Forbush Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii striata. 



Range. — Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. 



Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those 

 of the last. 



584. Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza gcorgiana. 



Range. — North America, east of the Plains, breeding from 

 middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay. 



This common and dark colored Sparrow frequent a 

 swampy places where it breeds; owing to its si)' habits it is 

 not commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests 

 are made of grasses and located on the ground usually in 

 places where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs 

 are similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally 

 darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55. 



585. Fox Sparrow. PassereUa iliaca. 



Range. — Eastern North America, breeding from southern Canada northward, 

 and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United States. 



This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and 

 reddish brown plumage and bright rufous tail, is verj' com- 

 mon in eastern United States during migrations, being found 

 in open woods and hedges in company with Juncos and White- 

 throated Sparrows, with which species their song vies in sweet- 

 ness. They nest usually on the ground, but sometimes in 

 low bushes; the nests are made of grasses and are concealed 

 beneath the overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. (Greenish white.] 

 The three or four eggs are greenish white, spotted and blotched 

 with brown. Size .94 x .68. Data.— Nashvak, Labrador, June 14, 1897. Nest 

 on the ground; made of fine grasses. Collector, G. Ford. 



[Greenish white 



