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THE FOX-COLOURED FINCH. 



Fringilla iliaca, Merrem. 

 PLATE CLXXXVI Male and Female. 



Although the Fox-coloured Sparrow visits us regularly at the approach of 

 winter, it merely remains during the few months of the year which are too 

 severe in the more northern parts of our continent, where it resides at all 

 other periods. It wanders, however, as far southward as the lower parts of 

 Louisiana, is also met with in Kentucky, and in the countries bordering on 

 the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi, and visits the Floridas, Georgia, the 

 Carolinas, and in short every State south of Massachusetts. In the latter 

 State, and in that of Maine, few individuals are seen after its passage through 

 these districts, late in October. 



In the northern parts of America, where it breeds, it replaces the Towhe 

 Bunting, so abundant in our middle States, where it delights us with its song. 

 To that species the Fox-coloured Sparrow comes next in size, while it greatly 

 surpasses it in its musical powers. 



While in the United States, it lives retired, and separates itself from most 

 other species. Little flocks, consisting of a family or two, take possession 

 of some low well-covered thicket, by the side of some clear streamlet, where 

 they spend the winter unmolested, searching for food among the fallen and 

 withered leaves, or among the roots and dead branches of trees. Should a 

 warm morning dawn on their retreat, the male birds directly ascend to the 

 middle branches of the brambles, and in a soft under tone cheer the females 

 with their melodies. At all other times they remain comparatively silent, 

 merely emitting a note to call each other, or to assure their little family that 

 all is safe around them. Towards spring a kind of bustle takes place in their 

 camp: the males, already warmed with affection and love, renew their atten- 

 tions to their mates; new connections are formed by the young; their song 

 becomes much improved; and the passer by may here and there see a pair 

 moving slowly and cautiously towards the land whence they had emigrated 

 some months before. 



Follow these birds wherever you will, you invariably find them not in 

 deep woods, but along the fences, and amid patches of briars and tangled 

 underwood, which at all times seem so pleasing to them. They traverse the 



