402 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 



Melospiza georgiana (Lath.). 



Swamp Sparrow. 



Common summer resident in southwestern Labrador. 

 Audubon "found it plentiful in Labrador." In Anticosti just 

 south of the Labrador region it was found in abundance by Brewster. 



Passerella iliaca (Merr.). 



Fox Sparrow; "Russingel"; "Red Singer''; 

 "Red Thrush" (Stearns). 



Common summer resident in southern Labrador; May 20 to Sep- 

 tember 1. 



Audubon says: "They leave Labrador about the 1st of September 

 in small groups, formed each of a single family. When in that coun- 

 try .... I frequently observed them searching along the shores for 

 minute shell-fish, on which they feed abundantly." Frazar says they 

 "arrived at Esquimaux Point on May 20th, soon becoming common 

 and rare again, evidently passing farther north to nest; but at Hegaska, 

 on my return in August, I saw a pair with their young." Packard 

 says: " Common along southern portions ; young at Rigolet in June." 

 Bigelow found a few at Aillik. Macoun says it is common from 

 Moose River to Richmond Gulf; not seen crossing to Ungava; July 

 1, 1896, young able to fly (Spreadborough). 



We found the Fox Sparrow common at Forteau, Cartwright, Rigo- 

 let, and Cape Charles. At Forteau we found them directly on the 

 coast. The other three localities are all farther inland and Hudsonian 

 in character. The bird was everywhere in full song even as late as 

 July 30th at Cape Charles. The song seemed richer and fuller than 

 the best song given by this species during the spring migration in 

 Massachusetts. Its clear flute-like notes are somewhat ventriloquil 

 in character, and as the bird sings generally from a concealed perch 

 inside of a spruce or fir tree a foot or two from the top, it is often 

 difficult to find the performer. We have written down the song very 

 inadequately in words thus : cher-ee, hear-her, hear-her, tellit. Or to- 

 whip, to whee, oh-whee buzz tellit, the last note short and faint and the 

 main stress on the second and third bars. 



