PERCHING BIRDS 
549.1. Nelson’s Sparrow. Passerherbulus 
nelsoni nelsoni. 
Range. — Breeds in the fresh water marshes 
of the Mississippi valley from Illinois to Mani- 
toba. 
This species is similar to the Sharp-tailed 
Finch but more huffy on the breast and gener- 
ally without streaks. The nesting habits are 
the same and the eggs indistinguishable. 
549-la. Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 
Passerherbulus nelsoni subvirgatus. 
Range. — Breeds in the marshes on the coast 
of New England and New Brunswick; winters 
south to the South Atlantic States. 
This paler variety of Nelson’s Sparrow nests 
like the Sharp-tailed species and the eggs are 
the same as those of that bird. 
Seaside Sparrow 
Dusky Seaside Sparrow 
550. Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus. 
Range. — -Atlantic coast, breeding from southern New England to Carolina and 
wintering farther south. 
This sharp-tailed Finch is uniform grayish above and light 
streaked with dusky, below. They are very abundant in the 
breeding range, where they nest in marshes in company with /jftyjP - ^ ^ 
caudacutus. Their nests are the same as those of that species P'Zi '4 
and the eggs similar but slightly larger. Size .80 x .60. ‘ 
Data. — Smith Island, Va., May 20, 1900. Nest situated in tall 
grass near shore; made of dried grass and seaweed. Collector, 
H. W. Bailey. White 
All the members of this genus have a habit of fluttering out over the water, 
and then gliding back to their perch on the grass, on set wings, meanwhile 
uttering a strange rasping song. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub- 
species are precisely like those of this variety, and they all occasionally arch 
their nests over, leaving an entrance on the side. 
550a. Scott’s Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbulus maritimus peninsula 1 . 
Range. — Coasts of Florida and north to South Carolina. Above blackish 
streaked with brownish gray; below heavily streaked with black. 
550b. Texas Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbulus maritimus sennetti. 
Range. — Coast of Texas. Similar to maritimus, but streaked above. 
550c. Louisiana Seaside Sparrow. Passerherbulus maritimus fisheri. 
Range. — Gulf coast. This form is similar to peninsulce, but darker and more 
brownish. 
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