|Family XV. FRINGILLINAE. FINCHES. GENUS II. EMBERIZA, Linn.
BUNTING. |Genus||EMBERIZA SAVANNA, Wils. This species is one of
the most abundant of our Finches. It is also one of the
hardiest, standing the winter of our Middle Districts, ranging
as far north as Labrador, and crowding our old fields and open
woods of the south from October to April. It is nearly allied to
the Yellow-Winged Sparrow and Henslow's Bunting, but differs
from both in many important particulars. It confines itself
principally to the ground, where it runs with extreme agility,
lowering its body as if to evade your view, and when in danger
hiding as closely as a mouse; nay, seldom taking to wing, unless
much alarmed or suddenly surprised. It is fondest of dry, rather
elevated situations, not very distant from the sea-shore, and
although it travels much, I have never found one in deep woods.
During winter it associates with the Field Sparrow and Bay-
winged Sparrow, and with these it is often seen in open plains
of great extent, scantily c