Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy 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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