338 SWAMP SPARROW. 



each pursues the duties of incubation and of rearing their 

 young, living in the greatest harmony, and mutually watching 

 and protecting each other's property from depredators. 



SWAMP SPAKROW. (Fringilla palustris.) 



PLATE XXII.— Fig. 1. 



Passer palustris, Bartram, p. 291. — Peale's Museum, No. 6569. 



ZONOTRICHIA PALUSTRIS— J akdine.* 



Fringilla palustris, Bonap. Synop. p. 111. — The Sw.imp Sparrow, And. pi. 64, 

 male, Orn. Biog. i. p. 331. 



The history of this obscure and humble species is short and 

 uninteresting. Unknown or overlooked by the naturalists of 

 Europe, it is now for the first time introduced to the notice 

 of the world. It is one of our summer visitants, arriving in 

 Pennsylvania early in April, frequenting low grounds and 

 river courses ; rearing two, and sometimes three, broods in a 

 season ; and returning to the south as the cold weather com- 

 mences. The immense cypress swamps and extensive grassy 

 flats of the southern States, that border their numerous rivers, 

 and the rich rice plantations, abounding with their favourite 

 seeds and sustenance, appear to be the general winter resort 

 and grand annual rendezvous of this and all the other species 

 of sparrow that remain with us during summer. From the 

 river Trent, in North Carolina, to that of Savannah, and still 

 farther south, I found this species very numerous ; not flying 



* The four species figured on this plate will point out the form 

 which Mr Swainson has designated as above. Of these, the present and 

 the last will recede from the type, the one in the more slender, the other 

 in the stronger bill, and its even cutting margins. They in every respect 

 show a strong assimilation with the bunting, sparrow, and lark family, 

 though they cannot properly rank with these. According to the char- 

 acters now laid down, and I believe properly so, they are a most 

 interesting form when taken in comparison with their representatives 

 in other countries. They appear confined to America. — Ed. 



