Sparrows, Finches, etc. WESTERN BIRDS 



FAMILY— FRINGILLID^: SPARROWS, 

 FINCHES, ETC. 



The birds found in this family compose the largest 

 and most widely distributed group, there being some 

 twelve hundred species and subspecies, which are found 

 in all parts of the world except Australia. 



According to the Check List of North American Birds 

 issued by the American Ornithologists' Union, there are 

 over two hundred species and subspecies found in 

 America. There is a great variety in this family of birds, 

 and in consequence some member of the Sparrow, Finch, 

 Grosbeak, or Bunting group, is found wherever we go, 

 be it mountain, sea shore, desert, or fertile valley. In 

 woods, open fields, marshes, swamps, city parks, or our 

 own door yards, one, or several, members of the family 

 may always be seen. 



While varying in size and coloring, one characteristic 

 they all have and that is the similarity of the bills. 

 These birds are essentially seed-eaters and that they may 

 be able to crack the seeds they are given short, stout, 

 conical bills. Some of our Goldfinches have been con- 

 fused with similarily colored warblers, but one glance at 

 the stout bill of the Goldfinch and the long slender one 

 of the Warbler, will easily settle the question. 



The birds known as Sparrows are mostly dwellers of 

 the ground and are dull of color to blend with their 

 chosen haunts, while the Grosbeaks and Finches live 

 mostly in the trees and are more gayly attired. 



Many members of the family are choice singers, the 

 domesticated canary belonging to this group. They are 

 slow and deliberate in movements, as compared with the 



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