THE SONG SPARROW 



THE Song Sparrow, like air and sunshine, is a part 

 of our daily lives after we have once become ac- 

 quainted with him. In some localities he takes up his 

 abode permanently; in others, he arrives in late February 

 or early March and remains until November. Joy in life 

 and deep contentment abide with him. He is the most 

 incurable optimist of my acquaintance. I have heard 

 him sing beside a brook that has just broken its icy fetters, 

 while patches of snow still remained on the ground; dur- 

 ing days of rain which silenced most songsters; through 

 hot summer noons and during the almost songless molt- 

 ing-season, — nothing seems to daunt him, from early 

 morning until sunset. Occasionally during the night is 

 heard his simple strain, as though he needs must sing in 

 his sleep. 



His song is pleasing, but in no way remarkable. It is 

 in a major key and lacks the ecstasy and piercing sweet- 

 ness of the fox sparrow's, and the exquisite tenderness of 

 the field and the vesper sparrow's, but it possesses a 

 charm all its own. It breathes a joy in simple things — 

 a steadfast and cheerful courage that makes us say, "He, 

 too, is no mean preacher." 



Song sparrows, like other members of the Finch family, 

 are of great service in their destruction of insects and 

 weed seeds, of which they consume enormous quantities. 

 They eat wild berries and fruits only when their favorite 

 food is not obtainable. They possess no bad ha'bits and 

 are desirable "bird-neighbors" to cultivate. Water al- 

 ways attracts them; one is most likely to find them near 

 streams, in which they love to bathe. 



Their nests are made largely of grasses, dead leaves, 

 and root-fibres, and are lined with soft grasses. They 



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