330 
SINGING BIRDS. 
remain in the sheltered plains of the sea-coast of New York 
and New Jersey until the very commencement of winter. It is 
also observed in the lower parts of Pennsylvania ; and about the 
middle of May, or later, they are occasionally seen in the gar- 
dens in Cambridge, Mass., on their way apparently to some 
other breeding- station. On these occasions they perch in 
sheltered trees in pairs, and sing in an agreeable voice some- 
what like that of the Purple Finch, though less vigorously. In 
the West Indies they live much on the ground, and run like 
Larks, flying low when flushed, and soon alighting. Their nest 
is likewise fixed on the ground, among the grass, where they 
collect their usual fare of seeds and insects. 
The majority of local students of bird life to-day consider this 
species more or less common in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
and it is known to occur in parts of the more northern New Eng- 
land States, and in New York, Ohio, Ontario, and Michigan. One 
example has been taken in New Brunswick. Its supposed rarity 
by earlier observers was probably due to its usual concealment 
amid the tall grass and to its lack of an attractive song ; for in spite 
of Nuttall s assuiance to the contrary, modern observers have in- 
dorsed the opinion expressed by one of their leaders that “ its best 
vocalization is scarcely stronger or more musical than the stridula- 
tion of a grasshopper.” 
HENSLOW’S SPARROW. 
HENSLOW’S BUNTING. 
Ammodramus HENSLOWII. 
C HAR. Above, streaked with olive brown, bay, and gray ; crown olive 
gray, with two blackish stripes; edge of wing yellow ; below, buff, paler 
on throat and belly; sides of throat and sides of body streaked with 
black. Length about 5 inches. 
AfaA In a field, concealed amid long grass; made of grass with a 
lining of hair, 
4-5; dull white, sometimes tinged with green, spotted with 
brown and lilac; 0.75 X 0.60. 
This species, so much allied to the Yellow-winged Finch 
discovered by Audubon, is known to breed in New Jersey. 
