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Range (North America breeds) (VIII)

North America; breeds from southern Illinois and Virginia northward to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters on the Atlantic coast from Virginia southward.

Washington, P. R., very common in migrations, less so in summer and FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Apl. 2 to Nov. 4. Cambridge, very common S. R., Apl. 5 to Oct. 15.

Nest, of rather coarse grass, lined with finer grasses, rootlets, and long hairs, on the ground. Eggs, four to five, bluish white or pinkish white, speckled and spotted with rufous-brown or umber, 1.83 x 61. In walking through dry upland fields or along 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 bound on before you or swing off 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 terrestrial 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. His song, which is loud, clear, and ringing, may be heard at a distance of several hundred yards. It resembles that of the Song Sparrow, but is sweeter and more plaintive. When heard in the evening it is a truly inspired and inspiring melody. 541. Ammodramus princeps (Mayn.). IPSWICH SPARROW. Ad.- Generally with a spot of sulphur-yellow before the eye and on the bend of the wing; upper parts pale brownish ashy, streaked on the head, back, and upper tail-coverts with black and cinnamon-brown; the nape and rump with few or no streaks; a white line over the eye; wings grayish brown, outer webs of greater coverts and tertials margined with pale ochraceous-buff; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers margined with brownish ashy; under parts white; breast and sides lightly streaked with blackish and ochraceous-buff. L., 6·25; W., 3.00; T., 2.25; B., 40.