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Field Sparrow — Part 1
Adult--Upper parts light chestnut brown, finely streaked with brown; under parts light buff shading into white on the belly; bill pinkish. Length--5.68.
"Young in first plumage have breast streaked with black." (Chapman.)
Breeding Range--From South Carolina to Canada.
The nest, which is placed either on the ground or in low bushes, is built of grass, fine roots, and occasionally leaves, with the lining of hair or fine grass. 3 to 5 eggs are laid, varying considerably in their colour and markings; some eggs have the ground colour, which is white or greenish white, nearly covered with small reddish spots--rarely blotches--while others have scarcely any spots. Size--.70 x .52. See Fig. 5, Plate B.
These delightful little sparrows are easily recognised by the distinctive reddish or coral-coloured bill and by the long light chestnut tail. They lay their eggs about May Ist near New York, laying two or three sets during the season, which lasts with them until late July. The nests may be found in the open fields, in thickets, and sometimes in scrubby clearings; they are, as a rule, placed on the ground, or in a tussock of either green or dead grass. In some places, however, they are most often to be found in low bushes. While on the nests these birds are usually averse to human visitors; they glide off quietly through the grass, flying up when at some distance to a bush or tall weed, where they give utterance to their anxious little note of reproach. Their song, though small in volume, is decidedly sweet in tone; it may be heard most often in the early hours of the morning, almost before dawn, or late in the afternoon and evening.