94 Birds of Qj'egon and WasJimgton 



darkest night, the song of the male bird will ring 

 out in the still air, in order, it is said, to re-as- 

 sure the little female upon her nest. This Spar- 

 row is sometimes called the '' Hair Bird," because 

 he lines his nest with horsehair. 



Particular Description. — Crown, bright reddish- 

 brown ; forehead, black ; streak of gray over the eye ; 

 back, brown, slightly reddish, feathers streaked with black; 

 breast, and abdomen, soft, light gray. 



Quite a common summer resident. A few of 

 the birds remain all winter. 



THE OREGON VESPER SPARROW, OR OREGON 

 BAY-WINGED BUNTING. 



General Description : 



Upper parts : brown, streaked with gray. 

 Under parts : whitish, streaked ; outer tail-feath- 

 ers, white. 

 Length, 6 inches. 

 Found in open pasture lands and by country way- 

 sides. 



While you are looking for and watching the 

 Sparrows already named, you will see a Sparrow 

 fly out of the road, or along the fence, showing 

 white outer tail-feathers — the one infallible mark 

 by which you may know a Vesper Sparrow from 



