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Range (Eastern North America breeds) (XXV)

Eastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and Virginia north to Quebec and Manitoba; winters from southern Illinois and Massachusetts to the Gulf States.

Washington, common P. R., abundant T. V., Mch. and Oct. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very abundant S. R., Mch. 10 to Nov. 1; locally common W. V.

Nest, of coarse grasses, rootlets, dead leaves, strips of bark, etc., lined with finer grasses and sometimes long hairs, on the ground, sometimes in bushes. Eggs, four to five, white or bluish white, with numerous rufous-brown markings which sometimes nearly conceal the ground color, 76 x 60. The Song Sparrow's vast range in a dozen varying climates, its readiness to adapt itself to the different conditions in each of the regions it inhabits, its numerical abundance and steady increase while some of its family are dying out, its freedom from disease and vermin, and its perennial good spirits evidenced by its never-failing musicall proclaim that it is indeed one of Nature's successes. Its irrepressible vivacity and good spirits in spite of all circumstances are aptly illustrated by the fact that its song may be heard in every month of the year and in all weathers; also by night as well as by day for nothing is more common in the darkest nights than to FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. hear its sweet chant in half-conscious answer to the hooting of the Owl or even the report of a gun.

It is never seen far from water, and when it is alarmed it flies downward or along-never upward-into some low thicket, pumping its tail as it flies.

Its alarm note is a simple metallic chip, which is very distinctive when once learned. But its merry chant-which has won for it the name of "Song Sparrow"-is its best-known note. It is a voluble and uninterrupted but short refrain, and is perhaps the sweetest of the familiar voices of the meadow lands. The song that it occasionally utters while on the wing is of quite a different character, being more prolonged and varied.

Though so abundant, it can not be styled a sociable species. Even during the migrations it is never seen in compact flocks like the Redpoll or Snowflake; at most it will be found forming a part of a long, scattered migrating train that usually includes a number of different but nearly related species.