r‘ixenns, sl’AlthnVs, me. 291

winter. Slut,r Sing, tolerably common S. ll, .\pl, 2 to Nov. 4. Cambridge, very eominon S l\'., .\pl. 5 to Net, 1.3,

Nest, of rather eoarse y , lined with liner g1" hairs. on the ground. [ff/(Ix. tour to five, bluish white or pinkish white,

es, rootlets. and long

speckled and spotted with rntbussbrown or timber, 1%) x 'Iil.

In walking through dry upland fields or along,r dusty roadsides a rather pale, streaked Sparrow will sometimes run rapidly ahead of' you, wait, for you to catch up, then run ahead again. It is best to be content with what measure of his confidence and society he voluntarily grants you, for, if you quicken your steps and try to overtake him. he will rise and boaiid on before you or swing oflr to one side, showing, as he flies, the white feathers on either side of his tail.

Frequently he will alight on a fence rail or even the higher branch of a tree, for, although a field Sparrow, he is by no means a purely ter- restrial one. When singing, he generally selects an elevated perch and gives himself entirely to his musical devotions. Early morning and late afternoon are his favorite hours, but. he can be heard at other times. llis song, which is loud. clear, and ringin", may be heard at a distance of several hundred yards. It resembles that of the Song Sparrow, but is sweeter and more plaintive. \thn heard in the even- ing it is a truly inspired and inspiring melody.

541. Ammodramus princeps Ufa/12.). II’sWIt'll SPARROW. Ail.— Generally with aspot of'sulphur-yellow bef'orc the eye and on the bend of the wing: upper parts pale brownish ashy, streaked on the head, back, and upper tailseoverts with blaek and einnanuiii-brown; the nape and rump with feW or no streaks: a white line over the eye: wings grayish brown. outer webs ot'greater eoverts and tertials marained with pale oeliraeeons»butt'; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers niargined with brownish ashy ; under parts white; breast and sides lightly streaked with blaekish and oelmieeous—butl'. L., 6'25; \\'.. 23-00; 'l‘.. L’ ‘z 13.. '40.

Bunyailireeds on Sable Island: winters southward along the coast regu- larly to Virginia and rarely to Georgia. .

Cambridge, casual. one instance. (it-t,

Those who care to visit. in winter the bleak, windswept sand hilloeks of our Atlantic coast will find this bird much less rare than it was once supposed to be. It never strays far from the wavirn,r tufts of coarse beach-grass that scantily cover the sand drif ,s. and single in- dividuals may be found sknlkine,r among such surroundings. 'l'hey Seldom allow a n ‘ar approach. but fly \vi|dl_' away to considerable dis- tances. and on aligbting run off so rapidly that. the" are diflicnlt to find a second time. The, flight is rapid and irregular, and the birds may easily be mistaken for Savanna Sparrows. with which, during the migrations. they are, sometimes associated. ()n 'are occasions a sharp chirp is heard. but. as a rule they are silent.