THE BIRD BOOK 
602. Sharpe’s Seed-eater. Sporophila 
morelleti morelleti 
Range. — Eastern Mexico, breeding north to 
the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 
This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5 
inches in length, and in plumage is black, white 
and gray. In restricted localities in southern 
Texas, they are not uncommon during the sum- 
mer months. They build in bushes or young 
trees at low elevations making their nests of 
fine grasses or fibres, firmly woven together 
and usually placed in an upright 
crotch. The eggs are pale 
greenish blue, plentifully speck- 
led with reddish and umber ' 
brown, and some markings of 
lilac. Size .65 x .45. Data. — 
Brownsville, Texas, May 7, 1892. Greenish blue 
Nest of fine fibre-like material lined with horse 
hairs, on limb of small tree in open woods near 
a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground. 
Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. This set is in 
the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. 
[603.] Grassquit. Tunis bicolor. 
Range. — This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to south- 
ern Florida. 
They are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, with a 
small entrance on the side. They lay from three to six white eggs, specked with 
brown. Size .65 x .50. 
[603.1] Melodious Grassquit. Tunis canora. 
Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like 
the last. 
604. Dickcissel. Spiza americana. 
Range. — Interior of the United States, breed- 
ing from the Gulf to northern United States, 
west to the Rockies, east to the Alleglianies. 
A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast 
patch, line over eye and on side of throat; 
throat black, chin white and wing coverts chest- 
nut. These sleek-coated, harmoniously colored 
birds are very common in dry bush-grown pas- 
tures and on the prairies. 
Q They are very persistent 
singers, and their song, while 
very simple, is welcome on 
hot days when other birds 
are quiet. They nest any- 
where, as suits their fancy, 
Bluish white on the ground, in clumps of 
grass, in clover fields, bushes, 
low trees, or in thistles. The nests are made 
of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined 
with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are 
bluish white. Size .80 x .60. 
5 
Painted Buntins 
368 
