175 SWAMP SPARROW
| The shores and such flat sand-bars as are overgrown with grasses
and rank weeds, along the Mississippi, from its mouth to a great height,
as well as the swamps that occur in the woods, within a short distance
from the margins of that river, are the resorts of the Swamp Sparrow,
during autumn and winter. Although these birds do not congregate in
flocks, their numbers are immense. They form the principal food of the
many Sparrow Hawks, Pigeon Hawks, and Hen-harriers, which follow them as
well as several ether species, on their return from the Middle
Districts, where they go towards spring, for the purpose of breeding. In
those districts they continue to prefer low swampy places, damp meadows,
and the margins of creeks and rivers.
It is a timid species; destitute of song, and merely uttering a single cheep, which is now and then heard during the day, but more frequently towards evening. They skulk along the weeds with activity, and feed principally upon the seeds of grasses, with a few insects, sometimes wading in shallow water. When wounded and forced to fall in the stream, they swim off to the nearest tuft of grass and hide in it. Their flight is short, low, and assisted by strong jerking motions of the body and tail, accompanied by a rustling of the wings. They alight by dropping suddenly amongst the weeds, seldom making towards a high tree. They are rarely if ever met with in dry woodlands. Their nest is placed on the ground, at the foot of a large bunch of tall grass. It is composed of dry weeds and finer fibres of the same, and is sometimes partially covered over. The eggs are four or five, of a dull white, speckled with reddish. They raise two, sometimes three, broods in a season. I found these birds abundantly dispersed in the swamps of Cayuga Lake, and those bordering the Illinois river, during summer, and far up the Arkansas river in the winter months. Their flesh is sedgy, which perhaps forms no objection to some people against its use. They become fat and tender, when the weeds have produced an abundance of seeds. Their note differs from that of all other species of Sparrow, being harsher in its tone. The young follow the parents on the ground, skulking among the grass for nearly a week before they are able to fly. This bird is abundant, in company with the Tree Sparrow, during winter, about Boston. It is not mentioned by Dr. RICHARDSON as being an inhabitant of the Fur Countries, although I found it plentiful in Labrador and Newfoundland, as well as in all the districts suited to its habits between these countries and the Texas. Mr. TOWNSEND informs me that it is found on the Missouri, but was not observed beyond the head-waters of that river. From Texas to North Carolina in winter. Spreads in spring and summer to the Missouri westward, and to Labrador eastward. Abundant. SWAMP SPARROW, Fringilla palustris, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p.
49. SWAMP SPARROW, Fringilla palustris, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 331;vol. v. p. 508. Male. Bill shorter than in the other species; tail-feathers less acuminate; upper part of head deep chestnut-red, streaked with black; hind part and sides of the neck light bluish-grey, cheeks dusky brown; a greyish-yellow streak over the eye; upper parts of body yellowish-brown, streaked with brownish-black; wing-coverts and secondaries broadly edged with yellowish-red, primaries with duller red; tail similar; throat greyish-white, with two small dusky streaks, the rest of the fore neck and part of the breast pale bluish-grey, the abdomen whitish, the sides yellowish-brown, streaked with dusky. Male, 5 1/2, 7 1/2. The plant on which you see this bird is called the May-apple. It shoots from the ground in great numbers, and grows very close. The flowers appear at an early season, and are succeeded by a pulpy yellowish fruit, about the size of a pullet's egg, and which, when ripe, is pleasant to the taste, being a little acid and very cooling.
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