338 
SWAMP SPARROW. 
each pursues the duties of incubation and of rearing their 
young ; living in the greatest harmony, and mutually watching 
and protecting each other’s property from depredators. 
SWAMP SPARROW FRINGILLA PALUSTRTS. 
Plate XXII. Fig. 1. 
Passer palustris, Bartram, p. 291. — Beale's Museum, No. 6569. 
ZONOTRICHIA PALUSTRIS — Jardine.* 
Fringilla palustris, Bonap. Synop. p. 111. — The Swamp Sparrow. Aud . pi. 64, male; 
Orn. Biog. i. p. 331. 
The history of this obscure and humble species is short and 
uninteresting. Unknown or overlooked by the naturalists of 
Europe, it is now for the first time introduced to the notice 
of the world. It is one of our summer visitants, arriving in 
Pennsylvania early in April, frequenting low grounds, and 
river courses ; rearing two, and sometimes three, broods in a 
season ; and returning to the south as the cold weather com- 
mences. The immense cypress swamps, and extensive grassy 
flats of the southern states, that border their numerous rivers, 
and the rich rice plantations, abounding with their favourite 
seeds and sustenance, appear to be the general winter resort, 
and grand annual rendezvous, of this and all the other species 
of Sparrow that 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 grass, 
* The four species figured on this plate, will point out the form which Mr 
Swainson has designated as above. Of these, the present and the last will 
recede from the type, the one in the more slender, the other in the stronger 
bill, and its even cutting margins. They in every respect shew a strong 
assimilation with the Bunting, Sparrow, and Lark family, though they 
cannot properly rank with these. According to the characters now laid down, ; 
and I believe properly so, they are a most interesting form when taken in 
comparison with their representatives in other countries. They appear con- 
fined to America. — Ed. 
