Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, S^wampy Thickets 



it from other sparrows of somewhat similar appearance. 

 Length— 5.75. 

 Breeding Range — Not very far south of the northern border of the 

 United States, and in the high mountain regions further 

 south. 



These nests, which are not very often seen, are placed on the 

 ground, much after the manner of the song sparrow's ; they are 

 " composed entirely of grasses." The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, 

 are greenish white or brownish white, spotted and blotched with 

 lavender and chestnut or brown, more thickly so at the larger 

 end. Size — .80 x .59. 



The habit of skulking through the grass or bushes, so marked 

 in this sparrow, renders him inconspicuous, and consequently he 

 is often thought to be much less common than he really is. In 

 Colorado eggs have been taken in June and July. 



584. Swamp Sparrow: Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) 



Adult — Upper parts deep chestnut or warm brown with dark 

 streaks ; lower parts ashy gray ; throat white or whitish 

 gray. Length — 5.89. 



Breeding Range — The northern United States, northward. 



The nest is placed in a tussock of grass, usually in a swamp, 

 marshy thicket, or damp meadow, rarely in a low bush ; it is 

 made of grasses, lined with fine grass and sometimes horse-hair. 

 4 or 5 eggs are laid ; they resemble the eggs of the song spar- 

 row, but are more broadly and less distinctly blotched ; they 

 vary greatly in their markings, which are chocolate or reddish 

 brown, the ground colour being white slightly tinged with green, 

 yellow, or pinkish brown. Size — .80 x .60. See Fig. 15, 

 Plate C. 



The Swamp Sparrow is very frequently confused with its 

 near relation, the song sparrow ; the duller and more uniform 

 colour of the back, the absence of dark streaks on the under parts, 

 and the patch on the breast should serve to distinguish it. The 

 fact that it flies without jerking its tail is also worth remember- 

 ing. By any one who has sufficient perseverance the nest may 

 be found from about the middle of May ; it is carefully hidden in 

 the rank swamp growth. Two sets of eggs are laid. 



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