This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8 inches in length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty Song Sparrow but grayer. It nests either on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, the nest usually being concealed in a tuft of grass or often placed under rocks or, sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar to those of the Song Sparrow but much larger and more elongate. Size .90 × .65. [Illustration 357: Greenish white.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 356 583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni lincolni._ Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States north to the Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and the west; rare in New England. This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off through the underbrush of thickets and swamps that it frequents upon the approach of anyone; consequently it is often little known in localities where it is quite abundant. They nest on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely in bushes. Their eggs are very similar to those of the Song Sparrow, three or four in number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched with chestnut and gray. Size .80 × .58. 583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni striata._ Range.--Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those of the last. 584. SWAMP SPARROW. _Melospiza georgiana._ Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay. This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy places where it breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests are made of grasses and located on the ground usually in places where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs are similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 × .55. 585. FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca iliaca._ Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from southern Canada northward, and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United States. This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and reddish brown plumage and bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern United States during migrations, being found in open woods and hedges in company with Juncos and White-throated Sparrows, with which species their song vies in sweetness. They nest usually on the ground, but sometimes in low bushes; the nests are made of grasses and are concealed beneath the overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. The three or four eggs are greenish-white, spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 × .68. [Illustration 358: Lincoln's Sparrow.] [Illustration: Greenish white.] [Illustration: Greenish white.] [Illustration: Greenish white.] [Illustration: Swamp Sparrow.] [Illustration: left hand margin.] Page 357