4 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



makes a short halt, proceeding farther north to breed. Bischoff obtained a 

 specimen at Sitka. Mr. Kennicott found its nest and eggs on the Yukon, 

 and Mr. ]3all obtained it at Nulato, and more sparingly below that ])oint. 

 i\Ir. MacFarlane met with it breeding in large numbers at Fort Anderson. 

 The nests were in various situations, the larger proportion on the ground, a 

 few in bushes near the ground, and only one is mentioned as having been 

 several feet abo\'e it. One was in the cleft f)f a low willow on the edge of 

 a small lake ; another, in a bush, was nearly four feet from the ground ; and 

 a third was in a clump of willows and fourteen inches above the ground. 

 Neai'ly all the other nests mentioned were built directly upon the ground. 



The nests were constructed of dry bark and grasses, loosely put together, 

 and very warmly lined with feathers. On the ground they were usually 

 concealed in a tuft of grass. In all instances the female alone was found 

 on the nests, the male being very rarely seen in their vicinity. The usual 

 number of eggs in a nest was four or five, occasionally six, and even seven. 



Dr. Suckley obtained a single specimen at Fort Dalles, and Dr. Cooper 

 saw a flock in September, 1863, and again in 1864 at the mouth of the 

 Columbia. Lieutenant Bryan met witli th.em among the Piocky Mountains 

 in latitude 39°, in August. 'Sir. Eidgway found them very common during 

 the winter in the interior. 



Dr. Coues found this Sparrow common in all the wooded districts of Lab- 

 rador. It was \"ery tame and unsuspicious, showing no fear e\'en when closely 

 approached. I have never met with any, in summer, in any part of jSTew 

 Brunswick or Nova Scotia. 



This Sparrow is occasionally abuudant in Massachusetts early in October, 

 but rarely appears in full numbers until November. Some remain in the 

 gardens in and about Boston during the winter, and during November the 

 marshes of Fresh Pond are filled with them, when their wailing autunmal 

 chant is in marked contrast with the sweet and sprightly song with which 

 they enliven the spring, just before they are about to depart i'or their sum- 

 mer homes. They remain until the latter part of April, and ^Ir. Allen has 

 observed them at Springfield till about the first of May. 



In regard to their song, Mr. "William Brewster informs me that they usu- 

 ally commence singing about the I'oth of March. Their song is a loud, clear, 

 and powerful chant, starting with two high notes, then falling rapidly, anil 

 ending with a low, sweet warble. He has heard a few singing with their 

 full vigor in November and December, but tliis is rare. 



Dr. Coues found them not common in South Carolina, but Dr. Kennerly 

 states that they were C[uite abundant in December on the Little Colorado, in 

 New Mexico, feeding on the fruit of the wild grape and upon seeds. 



During the love-season the Tree Sparrow is quite a fine musician, its 

 song resembling that of the Canary, but finer, sweeter, and not so loud. In 

 their migrations, !Mr. Audubon states, a flock of twenty or more will perch 

 upon the same tree, and join in a delightful chorus. Their flight is elevated 



