172 



Fig. 148. SONG SPARROW. 



a number of occasions when I have been without a camera 

 I have found individual birds that were exceedingly tame, 

 in fact I have had several alight on my hand to feed little 

 birds that I was holding. Others have allowed me to stroke 

 them on the back as they were sitting on their nests, but 

 of course such instances are unusual, for Song Sparrows 

 usually chirp and scold vigorously if anyone comes near 

 their home. 



Field Sparrow. 



As would be judged from their name, these birds are in- 

 habitants of fields, — not fields carpeted with fresh green 

 grass, though, but dry side hills or hollows that are usually 

 plentifully sprinkled with small shrubs. 



Throughout the East, the high-pitched, piping melody 

 that constitutes their song is one of the most familiar 

 sounds of rural districts. Commencing with a single long- 

 drawn wiiistle of intermediate pitch, it continues through 

 a succession of three or four very high notes and ends in a 

 pleasing little trill. It is a rather pretty little song 



