SWAMP SPARROW. 
247 
‘Introduced to the notice of the world. It is one of our 
“'imnier visitants, arriving' in Pennsylvania early in 
April, frequenting low grounds, and river courses ; 
‘■faring two, and sometimes three, hrood in a season ; 
’iiid returniim to the south as the cold weather com- 
’hences. The immense cypress swamjis and extensive 
li'fassy flats of the Southern States, that border their 
huinerous rivers, and the rich rice plantations, abound- 
hig M'ith their favourite seeds and sustenance, appear 
be the general ivinter resort, and grand annual 
■■endezvous, of this and all the other species of sparrow 
^•lat 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 in flocks, but skulking among the canes, reeds, 
and crass seeming shy and timorous, and more attached 
to the water than any other of their tribe. In the month 
of April numbers pass through Pennsylvania to the 
“orthward, which I conjecture from the circumstance 
of finding them at that season in particular parts ot the 
b'oods, where, during the rest of the year, they are not 
to be seen. The few that remain frequent the swamps, 
and reedy bordei-s of our creeks and rivers. They 
form their nest in the ground, sometimes in a tussock 
of rank grass, surrounded by water, and lay tour eggs 
of a dirty white, spotted with rufous. So late as the 
tdth of Aun-ust, I have seen them feeding their young 
that were scarcely able to tly. Their princi|ml food is 
Srass seeds, ivild oats, and insects. They have no song ; 
are distinguished by a single chip or cheep, uttered in 
a rather hoarser tone than that of the song sparrow ; 
flirt the tail as they fly ; seldom or never take to the 
frees, but skulk from one low bush or swampy thicket 
fo another. , 
The swamp sparrow is five inches and a halt long, 
and seven inches and a half in extent j the back ot the 
“eck and front are black ; crown, bright bay, bordered 
"’ith black; a spot of yellowish white between the 
aye and nostril; sides of the neck and whole breast, 
flarkash; chin, white; a streak of black proceeds from 
