BACHMAN’S SPARROW. 
SUMMER FINCH. 
PEUCHA ASTIVALIS BACHMANII. 
Cuar. Above, rufous streaked with black and ash; lines over the 
eyes ash; edge of wing yellow; below, buff, sides shaded with ash, breast 
with brown. Length 6% inches. 
Vest. In open grassy woodland, half-cleared field, or old meadow; 
placed on the ground ; made of dry grass or mixed with roots ; sometimes 
the top is roofed, the entrance at the side. 
Eggs. 4-5; white; 0.75 X 0.60. 
This interesting species was first made known to Audubon 
by Dr. Bachman, who found it near the Edisto River, and 
afterwards breeding in the vicinity of Charleston, South Caro- 
lina, in the pine barrens. The discoverer remarks of this 
bird: “When I first heard its notes they so nearly resembled 
those of the Towee Bunting that I took it to be that bird. As 
soon as it is seen in the tall pine-trees where it usually sits to 
warble out its melodious notes, it darts down and conceals 
itself in the rank grass, through which it runs off like a mouse, 
and is flushed with difficulty.” It is believed to breed on the 
ground. It is said to be the finest songster of the Sparrow 
family in the United States. Its notes are loud for the size of 
the bird, and heard nearly alone in the region it frequents. 
About the month of November it proceeds to migrate farther 
south, though a few stragglers still remain throughout the 
winter. According to Latham, its nest is usually on the ground 
among the grass, under small bushes; it is composed of dry 
