2cS6 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



call-note is a simple hwit produced slowly and at 

 regular intervals during feeding and perching. 

 The same syllable pronounced sharply and 

 hurriedly is expressive of anger and also of dis- 

 appointment. The prelude to its song resembles 

 nearly the first measure of that of Spizella inonti- 

 cola and maybe written fcvi-hvi-twl-twl-twi-i-i-i-l^ 

 but is pronounced with less animation. 



The flight of this Sparrow is low, undulating, and 

 but moderately protracted. 



Its food is principally procured from the ground 

 and among the leaves and branches of trees and 

 shrubs, and consists of the seeds of various plants, 

 and divers insects. Early in the spring it is chiefly 

 a vegetarian. An examination of the contents of 

 many stomachs discloses but few insect-fragments, 

 in comparison with what is found in the Phoebe 

 bird. The blossoms of the re3 maple, particu- 

 larly their stamens and pistils, the green berries of 

 Juni penis communis, are devoured with avidity. 

 In the months of March and April, we have de- 

 tected in stomachs, seeds of Amarantus albus, A. 

 hybridus, RapJianus sativiis, common salad, and 

 common beet, with the young of Acheta nigra, 

 Caloptcnus fcmur-rubnwi, Platynus cupripennis, 

 Donacia confluenta, Formica sanguined, and earth- 

 worms. 



As spring advances into summer, the eggs and 

 larviE of various fruits and insects are devoured 

 with a gusto. The cultivated varieties of Primus 



e> 



cerasus, and the wild and cultivated species of Fra- 



