Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



snowbird, but larger, and built of coarser materials ; the eggs 

 are similar but larger. 



The habits during the breeding season do not differ materi- 

 ally from those of the preceding species ; the nests being found in 

 bushes, trees, on the ground in open fields, in thickets, and in 

 banks. Two sets of eggs are laid, the first being laid in May. 



575. Pine-woods Sparrow: Peucaea aestivalis (Licht.) 



Adult — Resembling somewhat the field sparrow in shape, having 

 the tail rather long ; upper parts warm brown or chestnut 

 streaked with black, the individual feathers being edged with 

 gray ; breast ash-coloured, occasionally spotted with black ; 

 belly white or whitish ; bend of wing yellow ; the outer tail 

 feathers are very short. Length — 5.80. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the piney woods of southern Georgia 

 and Florida. 



The nest is placed on the ground in the pine woods, amongst 

 the scrub or saw palmetto; it is a compact structure of fine grasses. 

 3 to 4 white eggs are laid in May or June. Size — .72 x .61. 



As far as I know, not a great deal of data has been collected 

 in connection with the breeding habits of this little sparrow. Its 

 nest is difficult to find, owing to the vastness of the area of suit- 

 able country and to the fact that it is carefully hidden among the 

 palmetto, which in itself forms an adequate protection. Mr. 

 Chapman considers the song of this bird superior to that of any 

 of our northern sparrows. 



581. Song Sparrow: Melospiza fasciata (Gmel.) 



Eggs white tinged with green or blue, with irregular 

 brownish blotches. 



See Page 49, Chapter I. 



583. Lincoln's Sparrow: Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.) 



Adult — Upper parts grayish brown streaked with black and 

 darker brown ; the tail has short outer feathers ; under 

 parts gray and cream colour slightly streaked with black, 

 and a buff band on breast, which should serve to distinguish 



62 



