LXII 



Teee Spaerow; Winter Chippy; Canada Sparrow 

 559. Spizella monticola (Linn.) 



The breast and belly of the Tree Sparrow are whit- 

 ish; there is a chestnut spot in the center of the breast 

 and the side of the breast is rufous; the crown is of a 

 beautiful chestnut with no center stripe ; there is a small 

 grayish border between the crown and the eye; the back 

 is of a beautiful dark chestnut and the wings are gener- 

 ally dark brown with two defined white bars. (Fig. 97.) 



This beautiful migrant Sparrow, with its undivided, 

 chestnut-colored broad crown, is a frequent winter visitor 

 in the vicinity of Kansas City, and very few are the 

 hedgerows or abandoned old fields whose bunches of 

 weeds and briars do not harbor a flock of these birds. 

 The Tree Sparrow is especially fond of open places 

 abounding in weeds and thickets, as it is a ground-feeder 

 and likes to be near a safe retreat when frightened. 



I have found the Tree Sparrow much shyer than the 

 Song or other northern nesting Sparrows ; but, by bait- 

 ing it in snowy cold weather it may be approached and 

 photographed by a set camera or from a tent. It is 

 fond of being near low, open, marshy feeding grounds 

 and is terrestrial in its habits, the name ''Tree Sparrow" 

 being a misnomer, as the bird is usually found feeding 

 on the ground. When disturbed, however, it quickly 

 seeks safety in trees or hedges. Although it is very so- 

 ciable with others of its kind, and pairs may frequently 

 be seen eating from the same weed stalk, it is shy on the 

 approach of man. When one bird flies from an alarm the 

 whole bunch will follow, darting into the nearest thicket 

 to hide. 



Like that of many migrants the limit of the southern 

 journey is in a measure governed by the severity of the 

 winter and the abundance of food supply. This bird 

 breeds as far north as the Arctic Circle, and lays from 

 four to six light green eggs marked with brown spots. 



177 



