1508 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 23 7 part 3 



from 1 to 5 months. Apparently it often produces no noticeable after 

 effects, but it may cause the loss of the nails and sometimes the 

 phalanges. These authors quote a pathologist's histological analysis 

 of a foot of an unspecified species. The opinion was that the 

 lesions were not true tumors but were the result of an unrecognized 

 irritant or infection. Viruses are now known to produce comparable 

 effects in some birds (Herman, 1955). 



Fall. — In Massachusetts, a few song sparrows begin moving away 

 from their breeding places in mid-July. The fact that nests have 

 been found in New York as late as August 25 (Eaton, 1914) suggests 

 that it may be the young of the year that move at so early a date. 

 There is some conflict in the evidence as to when the fall migration 

 is at its peak. The data of Stewart and Robbins (1958) are perhaps 

 the most recently reported and based upon the most voluminous and 

 varied factual data. These authors state that in Maryland and the 

 District of Columbia the normal period of fall migration is between 

 Sept. 20-30 and Nov. 20-30, with its peak between October 10 and 30. 

 More northerly latitudes would, of course, be correspondingly earlier, 

 e.g., in Maine "throughout September and most of October" (Palmer, 

 1949). 



Winter. — Most song sparrows that pass the winter in Massachusetts 

 (Forbush, 1929) remain near the sea, where there are usually patches 

 of ground clear of snow. In Ontario (Snyder, 1951) and New York 

 (Eaton, 1914) the habitat at this season is principally marshes and 

 swamps. In Pennsylvania, Todd (1940) says brushy thickets and 

 fields with corn shocks are frequented by song sparrows. The birds 

 are not especially social, but they are often seen in loose flocks of 

 mixed composition and, particularly in severe weather, may assemble 

 in small companies with other song sparrows. 



South of the breeding range, in the deep south and southeast of the 

 United States, melodia is found with euphorbia, juddi, and, in places, 

 atlantica. Here the birds seek the same brushy, moist, riparian and 

 marshy situations that they prefer for breeding. Sprunt and Chamber- 

 lain (1949) describe such habitat in South Carolina and say the song 

 sparrow "often * * * is found with swamp sparrows * * *. The 

 thoroughly characteristic song is delivered throughout the winter 

 except in very cold weather or on freezing days." In contradiction 

 Arthur H. Howell (1932) in his work on Florida says, "The Song 

 Sparrow, so well known in the North by its cheery song, is practically 

 silent during its stay in the South, except for its metallic, character- 

 istic tchip." Howell adds that the birds associate "in small loose 

 companies, but not in compact flocks." George H. Lowery, Jr., 

 (1960) of Louisiana, emphasizes the "entirely different personality" 

 of the song sparrow that winters in the south and describes it as a 



