SAVANNAH BUNTING. 69 



not very distant from the sea-shore, and although it travels much, I have 

 never found one in deep woods. During winter it associates with the Field 

 Sparrow and Bay-winged Sparrow, and with these it is often seen in open 

 plains of great extent, scantily covered with tall grasses or low clumps of 

 trees and briars. Regardless of man, it approaches the house, frequents the 

 garden, and alights on low buildings with as little concern as if in the most 

 retired places. 



It migrates by day, when it suffers from the attacks of the Marsh, the 

 Pigeon, and the Sharp-shinned Hawks, and rests on the ground by night, 

 when it is liable to be preyed upon by the insidious Minx. Its flight, al- 

 though rather irregular, is considerably protracted, for it crosses, I believe, 

 without resting, the broad expanse of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In June, 

 1S33, I found it gradually moving northward as I advanced towards Labra- 

 dor; and although a great number tarry and breed in all intermediate places 

 from Maryland to that dreary region, I saw them there in abundance. 



The nest of the Savannah Finch is placed on the ground at the foot of a 

 tuft of rank grass, or of a low bush. It is formed of dry grasses, and is im- 

 bedded in the soil, or among the grass, the inner part being finished with 

 straw and blades of a finer texture. The eggs, from four to six in number, 

 are of a pale bluish colour, softly mottled with purplish-brown. Some eggs 

 have a broadish circle of these spots near the large end, while the extremity 

 itself is without any markings. It generally breeds twice every season in 

 the Middle States, but never more than once to the eastward of Massachu- 

 setts. While searching for the nests of this and many other species, I ob- 

 served that the artifices used by the female to draw intruders away, are sel- 

 dom if ever practised until after incubation has commenced. 



Although this little Finch cannot be said to have a song, it is yet continu- 

 ally pouring out its notes. You see it perched on a fence rail, the top of a 

 stone, or a tall grass or bush, mimicking as it were the sounds of the com- 

 mon cricket. Indeed, when out of sight of the performer, one might readily 

 imagine it was that insect he heard. During winter, it now and then repeats 

 a cheep, which, although more sonorous, is not more musical. In spring, 

 when disturbed and forced from its perch, it flies quite low over the ground 

 in a whirring manner, and re-alights as soon as an opportunity offers. 



Like all the other land-birds that resort to Labrador in summer, it returns 

 from that country early in September. 



The Savannah Finch was found by Mr. Townsend on the Rocky Moun- 

 tains and about the Columbia river, where it was common. It extends along 

 the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to within the Texas. As it is plentiful in 

 Labrador, it might have been expected to move still farther northward in 

 summer, but no mention is made of it by Dr. Richardson. The situation 



Vol. III. 11 



