FOX-COLORED SPARROW 



FRINGILLA EUFA, 

 [Plate XXIL— Fig. 4.] 



Rusty Bunting, Arct. ZooL p. 364, JVo. 231. lb. 233. — Ferruginous Finch, lb. 375, JVo. 

 251. — Fringilla rufa, Bartram, j&. 291. — Pe ale's Museum, JVo. 6092. 



THIS plump and pretty species arrives in Pennsylvania from 

 the north about the twentieth of October; frequents low sheltered 

 thickets ; associates in little flocks of ten or twelve, and is almost 

 continually scraping the ground, and rustling among the fallen 

 leaves. I found this bird numerous in November among the rich 

 cultivated flats that border the river Connecticut; and was informed 

 that it leaves those places in spring. I also found it in the northern 

 parts of the state of Vermont. Along the borders of the great reed 

 and cypress swamps of Virginia, and North and South Carolina, as 

 well as around the rice plantations, I observed this bird very fre- 

 cpently. They also inhabit Newfoundland.^ They are rather of 

 a solitary nature, seldom feeding in the open fields ; but generally 

 under thickets, or among tall rank weeds on the edges of fields. 

 They sometimes associate with the Snow-bird, but more generally 

 keep by themselves. Their manners very much resemble those 

 of the Red-eyed Bunting (Plate X, fig. 4.); they are silent, tame, 

 and unsuspicious. They have generally no other note while here 

 than a shep, shep; yet I suspect they have some song in the places 

 where they breed; for I once heard a single one, a little before 

 the time they leave us, warble out a few very sweet low notes. 



The Fox-colored Sparrow is six inches long, and nine and a 

 quarter broad; the upper part of the head and neck is cinereous, 



* Pennant. 



VOL. III. O 



