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Range (Eastern North America breeds) (XXII)

Eastern North America; breeds in Labrador and the region about Hudson Bay; south in winter, through eastern United States; west to the edge of the Great Plains.

Washington, abundant W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 5. Sing Sing, common W. V., Oct. 10 to Apl. 27. Cambridge, common W. V., abundant T. V., Oct. 25 to Nov. 25; Mch. 20 to Apl. 20.

Nest, of grasses, rootlets, and hair, on or near the ground. "Eggs, four to five, pale green or greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, 75 × 60 " (Chamberlain).

Tree Sparrows wear a small black dot on the center of their otherwise unmarked breasts, a badge which will aid in their identification. They come in flocks when the fields are beginning to look brown and dreary, but seem contented with the surroundings from which other birds have fled.

They feed on the seeds of weeds and grasses, and even when the snow is deepest always find an abundance of food. I like to see them feasting on the seed stalks above the crust, and to hear their chorus of merry, tinkling notes, like sparkling frost crystals turned to music. Winter Chippies they are sometimes called, but at this season there FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. is little of the Chippy's nature about them. In February or March they begin to sing a song which has been compared to that of a Canary, but is "finer, sweeter, and not so loud." 560. Spizella socialis (Wils.). CHIPPING SPARROW; CHIPPY. Ad. -Forehead black, a short grayish line in its middle; top of the head rufous; the nape generally with a few black streaks; a grayish line over the eye and a black line behind it; back of the neck grayish, separating the rufous crown from the back; back streaked with black, a little rufous, and more pale buffy ochraceous; rump slaty gray; wing-bars not conspicuous; under parts grayish white, whiter on the throat and belly; bill entirely black. Im.-Similar, but no rufous crowncap or black on the forehead; top of the head streaked like the back; bill brownish. Young in first plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5.37; W., 2-74; T., 2-29; B., 36.

FIG. 86.-Chipping Sparrow. (Natural size.)