228 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
like hens; when disturbed, leaving the ground to eye the in- 
truder, but, unless pursued, immediately returning to their for- 
mer occupation. They may often be seen flying across the 
road or paths, with their broad, white-edged tail wide-spread. 
They never are gregarious, except so far as to gather in family- 
parties during the autumn and their migrations at that season. 
It is not always easy to catch sight of them, particularly when 
they are near their nests, which they conceal with extraordi- 
nary care, and often with much success. Though shy, they 
often seem saucy; and, while one person complains of their 
chirruping to and starting his horse, another says that, on the 
discovery of their nest, they express their sorrow so impu- 
dently as to rouse his indignation. 
(d). Their most characteristic note is a ‘tow-hée,” of which 
the last syllable resembles in tone the chirp of the Wilson’s 
Thrush, though sometimes much more petulant. They have 
also a whistled ‘“ whit/-a-whit/-a-whit’,” often repeated in the 
fall, when it sounds quite melancholy, and a loud chuck. The 
males have a simple but sweet song, often poured out in 
the early summer from some dilapidated fence or brush-heap, 
which may be represented by the words ‘‘che wé we wé, wee,” 
the last being an indefinite trill. This chant is frequently pro- 
longed by the addition of other notes, and, says Mr. Allen, in 
his “‘ List of the Winter Birds of East Florida,” “as is well 
known, the song of” this bird ‘at the north consists of two 
parts, nearly: equal in length but otherwise quite different,” 
though in that of “the Florida bird the last half is almost 
entirely omitted.’ Mr. Samuels speaks of their having more- 
over “a quavering warble difficult of description.” 
XIX. EUSPIZA e 
(A) americana. Black-throated Bunting. ; 
(Very rare in Massachusetts, where it has occasionally been 
found in the summer-season.) 
_ (a). About 63 inches long. ¢. Crown, yellow, rendered 
olive by an admixture of black, which here and there appears 
in streaks. Back of the neck, and side of the head, ashy. 
