THE BIRD BOOK 
583 . Lincoln’s Sparrow. Melospiza lincolni 
lincolni . 
Range. — North America, breeding from 
northern United States north to the Arctic re- 
gions; most abundant in the interior and the 
west; rare in New England. 
This bird is shy and retir- 
ing and skulks off through 
the underbrush of thickets 
and swamps that it frequents 
upon the approach of anyone; 
consequently it is often little 
known in localities where it 
is quite abundant. They nest 
on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely 
in bushes. Their eggs are very similar to 
those of the Song Sparrow, three or four in 
number, greenish white in color, heavily spot- 
ted and blotched with chestnut and gray. Size 
.SO x .58. 
Greenish white 
/583a. Forbush’s Sparrow. Melospiza lincolni striata. 
Range. — Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. 
Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those 
of the last. 
584. Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza georgiana. 
Range. — North America, east of the Plains, breeding from 
middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay. 
This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy 
places where it breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not 
commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests are 
made of grasses and located on the ground usually in places 
where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs are 
similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally 
darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55. 
Greenish white 
585. Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca iliaca. 
Range. — Eastern North America, breeding 
from southern Canada northward, and north- 
west to Alaska; winters in southern United 
States. 
This large handsome species, with its mot- 
tled grayish and reddish brown plumage and 
bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern 
United States during migrations, being found 
in open woods and hedges in 
company with Juncos and 
White-throated Sparrows, 
with which species their song 
vies in sweetness. They nest 
usually on the ground, but 
sometimes in low bushes ; the 
nests are made of grasses and 
are concealed beneath the 
overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. 
The three or four eggs are greenish-white, 
spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 x .68. 
356 
Greenish white 
Swamp Sparrow 
