112 SWAMP SPARROW. 



Male, 5|, 1\. 



The plant on which you see this bird is called the May-apple. It shoots 

 from the ground in great numbers, and grows very close. The flowers 

 appear at an early season, and are succeeded by a pulpy yellowish fruit, 

 about the size of a pullet's egg, and which, when ripe, is pleasant to the 

 taste, being a little acid and very cooling. 



Genus VI.— PEUCjEA, Mid. PINEWOOD-FINCH. 



Bill of moderate length, rather stout, straight, considerably compressed, 

 acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line somewhat convex, the ridge 

 rather narrow, the sides convex, the edges inflected, with the notches obso- 

 lete, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the 

 dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the ridge rounded, the sides con- 

 vex, the edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils small, roundish, partially 

 concealed by the plumage. Head ovate; neck short; body moderately 

 stout. Tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, 

 very slender, hind toe rather large, lateral toes about equal, outer adherent 

 at the base. Claws of moderate length, very slender, extremely compressed, 

 arched, tapering to a fine point. Plumage very soft, blended. Wings very 

 short, convex, rounded, the third and fourth quills longest, the first and 

 seventh about equal. Tail rather long, graduated, of twelve narrow rounded 

 feathers. No difference in the colours of the sexes. Name from n«/'*», a 

 pine. 



