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Range (Eastern North America breeds) (XXIII)

Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States to Newfoundland and Great Slave Lake; winters in the Gulf States and Mexico. Washington, common S. R., abundant T. V., Mch. 15 to Nov. 1, occasionally winters. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 9 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, abundant S. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 25. Nest, of grasses, fine twigs, or rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in trees or bushes, five to twenty feet up. Eggs, four to five, blue or greenish blue, with cinnamon-brown or blackish markings, chiefly at the larger end, 72 x 51.

The Chippy is among Sparrows what the Phœbe is among Flycatchers-the humblest, most unassuming member of its family. Both show trustfulness, which, in spite of their unattractive appearance and far from pleasing voices, wins our affection.

Chippy makes his nest in the vines on our piazza, and feeds on the crumbs at our doorstep, quite as though he were a member of the family; and he needs only a little encouragement to give evidence of his entire confidence in our good will by feeding from our hands. His song is a monotonous chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy, rather high and wiry and frequently running into an insectlike trill-by no means a musical performance.

In the fall Chippy changes his dress, dons a streaked cap for the one of bright bay, and, with others of his kind, goes to the fields to feast on the year's harvest of seeds. He is generally found near trees and hedgerows, into which, when alarmed, he flies with his companions. SONG SPARROW.

SWAMP SPARROW.

FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 561. Spizella pallida (Swains.). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Ad.- With a general resemblance to immature S. socialis, but less rufous above, whiter below, the line over the eye white, and the rump pale grayish brown instead of slaty gray. W., 2·40; T., 2·35; B., 34.