506 
GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 
This species is not uncommon in the maritime marshy 
grounds, and in the sea islands along the Atlantic coast, 
from Massachusetts to the Southern States. It confines 
its excursions almost wholly within the bounds of the 
tide-water, leaving its favorite retreats for more inland 
situations only after the prevalence of violent easterly 
storms. In quest of marine insects, Crustacea, shrimps, 
and minute shell-fish, it courses along the borders of the 
strand with all the nimbleness of a Sandpiper, examining 
the sea-weeds and other exuvias for its fare ; it seeks out 
its prey also at dusk, as well as at other times, and usu- 
ally roosts on the ground, like the Lark. In short, it de- 
rives its whole subsistence from the margin of the ocean ; 
and its flesh is even imbued with the rank or fishy taste 
to be expected from the nature of its food. At other 
times it remains amidst the thickest of the sea-grass, and 
climbs upon the herbage with as much dexterity as it 
runs on the ground. Its feet and legs, for this purpose, 
are robust, as in the Swamp Sparrow. According to 
Audubon, they nest on the ground, in the bushy parts of 
the salt marshes which are elevated above the flow of the 
tides. This habitation is made of coarse grass and lined 
with finer portions of the same. The eggs are 4 to 6, 
greyish-white, speckled over with brown. They appear 
to rear two broods in the season. 
The length of this species is 6^ inches. Chin white, bordered by 
a cinereous stripe ; crown brownish-ohve, with a stripe of cinereous. 
Above yellowish-brown olive, varied with pale greyish-blue ; greater 
and lesser coverts tipt with dull white ; primaries edged with yellow 
beneath the coverts. Bill dusky above, paler below. Legs and feet 
pale bluish- white. Irids hazel. — The sexes nearly alike. 
