Open Nests on the Ground 



the sandy ground near the swamps, where it may be seen running 

 in and out among the coarse grass, more lil<e a mouse than a bird. 

 Great care should be observed in identifying the nests, as they 

 may easily be mistaken for the nests of the seaside sparrow, both 

 birds generally breeding near each other in the same swamp. 

 The eggs of the sharp-tailed sparrow are somewhat smaller and 

 more finely marked ; the nest is usually placed where it is rather 

 drier ; it is also more bulky. 



The breeding season lasts from May to late July, two broods 

 being reared during that period. The young may be found until 

 well into August. 



550. Seaside Sparrow: Ammodramus maritimus (Wils.) 



Adult — General appearance dusky gray ; upper parts grayish ; tail 

 brown with narrow, sharply pointed feathers ; throat and 

 breast gray, slightly streaked with darker gray ; belly white, 

 shading into gray at sides ; light yellow patch in front of eye 

 and at bend of wing ; the toes are rather long, and the bill is 

 long and slightly thicker than the sharp-tailed sparrow's, 

 though much the same shape. Length — o.oo. 



Breeding Range — Along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina 

 northward, rarely on the coast of Massachusetts. 



Nest, resembling closely that of the sharp-tailed sparrow, only 

 not so bulky, placed on the ground in or near brackish or salt water 

 swamps, built of reeds and grasses lined with fine grass. Usually 

 4 eggs are laid; they are white or whitish, finely speckled with 

 light reddish brown and lilac. Size — .80 x .63. See Fig. 11, 

 Plate B. 



All that has been said of the sharp-tailed sparrow applies 

 equally to these lovers of the sea-coast. In exceptional cases the 

 nests are said to be found arched over. 



550a. Scott's Seaside Sparrow: A. m. peninsulae Allen 



This is a southern sub-species of the seaside sparrow, being 

 found from the more northern parts of Florida on the Atlantic 

 coast to South Carolina, and on the Gulf coast from Florida to 

 Texas. The most noticeable difference is in the dark streaks on 



46 



