t V E i P ; r r m r r ; a j T j g d i S E E H f l .
^EGIOTHUS FUSOESOElSrS.
DDSXY BED PO L L .
^EGIOTHUS FUSCESCENS. Codes. Ornith. Lab. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. (1861), p. 22
Idem. Mon. Gen. iEgiotlius, Proc. Acad. Phil. (1861), p. 380
I ¡¡¡¡¡SB B t0 f * rank hy ft ® “ above referred to, appears to . be half way between A. Rostratns and
A. Lmarius, the differences consisting m size of body and bill, and length of primaries. In color, it is very similar to the former
species. It was obtained by its describer in Labrador, who gives the following account of its habits :
'■This interesting bird, though by no means so common as the Tit-lark, or White-crowned Sparrow, is yet abundant along the coast
o f Labrador, where, apparently, it replaces the allied Chry&omitris Tristis, its southern representative. It is a remarkably familiar and
unsuspicious species, showing no signs of fear, even when very closely approached. It frequents almost exclusively the scrubby juniper,
which grows everywhere in open places, in thick, almost impenetrable patches. I do not think I ever observed it in more densely
wooded districts. Its flight is performed in an irregular, desultory manner, rising and falling in cycloidal curves, and is seldom protracted
to any great distance. While passing overhead, it utters continually a peculiar rattling chirp impossible to describe, yet once heard
never to be mistaken; and while seated on a twig, or engaged in searching for food, it has all the plaintive and varied modulations for
which the O. Ibistis is so noted, and from which the latter derives its specific name. I never heard anything that could, with any
propriety, be called a song. The food of this species consists entirely of the seeds of various grasses, and when shot while fcedin«-, it
will be found to have the throat crammed with them. In this respect, as well as iji voice, flight, and general manners, I could not
but be struck with the similarity which exists between this bird and the common goldfinch."
Upper parts chocolate brown. Rump tinged with rosy-red, streaked with dusky-brown. Ocular space and patch on throat brownish
black. Wings and tail dark brown, margined with whitish. Throat and breast xosy-red. Sides thickly marked with narrow lines of
dark brown. Under parts white. Bill brown.
Female resembles the male, but wants the red on breast.
The figures are o f natural size, and are placed on a branch of the apple-tree in blossom.