THE RUSTY SONG SPARROW. 



143 



SOXG SPARROW ASLEEP. 



Familiar he certainly is; for while he has none of the vulgar obtrnsive- 

 ness of Passer douicsticus, nor confesses any love for mere bricks and 

 mortar, there is not a weedy back lot outside of the iire limits which he has 

 not gladdened with his presence, nor a disordered wood-pile or Ijrush-heap 

 which he has not explored. Much 

 lurking under cover in time of rain 

 has darkened his plumage beyond 

 that of the eastern bird, and close 

 association with the fallen monarchs 

 of the forest has reddened it, until 

 he himself looks like a rusty frag- 

 ment of a mouldering fir log. 



It is as a songster, however, that 

 we know this sparrow best. Silver- 

 tongue's melody is like sunshine, 

 bountiful and free and ever grate- 

 ful. Mounting some bush or up- 

 turned root, he greets his childish 

 listeners with "Peace, peace, peace 

 be unto you, my children.'' And 

 that is his message to all the world, 

 "Peace, and good-will." Once we 

 sat stormbound at the mouth of our tent, and, mindful of the unused 

 cameras, grumbled at the eternal drizzle. Whereupon the local poet flitted 

 to a favorite perch on a stump hard by, and, throwing back his head, sang, 

 with sympathetic earnestness, "Cheer up! Cheer up! Count your many 

 mercies nozi.':" Of course he did say e.xactly that, and the childish emphasis 

 he put upon the last word set us to laughing, my i^artner and me, until there 

 was no more thought of complaint. 



Even in winter the brave-hearted bird avails himself of the slightest 

 pretext — an hour of sunlight or a rise of temperature — to mount a busli 

 and rehearse his cheerful lay. The song is not continuous, but it is fre- 

 quently repeated thru periods of several minutes, and is followed by little 

 intervals of placid contemplation. 



But no matter how gentle a bird's disposition may be. there is ample 

 use, alack! for the note of warning and distrust. When, therefore, the 

 Song Sparrow's nesting haunts are invaded, the bird emits a chip or cliirp. 

 still musical, indeed, but very anxious. In winter the resident birds denv 

 themselves even this characteristic cry: and, except for the occasional out- 

 bursts of full song, they are limited to a high nasal tss. which seems to 

 serve the purpose of a flocking, or recognition, call. Song Sparrows are 

 not really gregarious birds ; nor are they even seen in close pro.ximity save 



