The Harris's Sparrow {ZonotricMa querula) 



By I. N. MitcheU 



Length : 7^ inches. 



Dr. Coues has said of the Harris's Sparrow that it may be regarded as the 

 most characteristic bird of the Missouri region. Its range is mainly confined 

 to the central United States, reaching from Illinois on the east to Middle Kansas 

 and the Dakotas on the west. North and south its range extends from the 

 interior of British America to Texas. During its migrations it travels in small 

 flocks which suddenly appear in patches of shrubbery where it feeds for a time 

 and soon disappears as quietly as it came. It enjoys the undergrowth and 

 shrubs that are found in ravines and along the banks of streams; An interesting 

 habit, that does not fail to make Harris's Sparrow a conspicuous object, is 

 that of perching, when disturbed, on some high branch of a shrub in order 

 that it may obtain an uninterrupted view of its surroundings and of the intruder. 



An observer, who has studied the habits of the species as it passes through 

 the state of Iowa during its migrations, says : "This beautiful Sparrow is one of 

 the commonest of the Fringillidse that pass through the State in spring and fall, 

 associating at such times with the other sparrows and finches and frequenting 

 similar haunts. Its notes in the fall are a simple, loud chirp, not distinguishable 

 from that of the white-throated sparrow and occasionally a low sweet warble. 

 In the spring it has a curious song, beginning very much like that of the latter 

 bird but ending in a few harsh, drawling notes, sounding like a faint mimicry of 

 the scream of the night hawk and totally unlike the first part of the song." 



This Sparrow seems to have a happy disposition. Colonel Goss says : "They 

 commence singing early in the spring, and upon warm, sunshiny days their song 

 can be heard almost continually, as one after the other pours forth its pleasing, 

 plaintive, whistling notes, in musical tone much like the white-throated sparrow, 

 but delivering in a widely different song." 



Mr. Nehrling observed it in Texas, during the month of November, where 

 it was associated with juncos, white-crowned and field sparrows, in flocks con- 

 sisting of thousands of individuals. He caught several of the Harris's Sparrows 

 and confined them in cages. They became tame and he fed them on various 

 insects, kaffir corn and canary seed. 



This Sparrow is of large size and when dressed in its summer plumage it 

 is a strikingly beautiful bird.- The glossy black of its crown and throat are 

 made prominent by the bright coat of the usual sparrow mixture of colors" 

 that covers the remainder of the body. 



But little is known of the breeding habits of this Sparrow. Its nests are 

 built in the northern part of its range, probably only in the interior of British 

 America. The only authentic record of its breeding range is that of Mr. Edward 

 A. Preble, who found an adult male and female in company with young just from 

 the nest, at Fort Churchill. 



Seven common species of swallows are found within the limits of the United 



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