The Chipping Sparrow (spizeiia passeHna) 



Length: About 5^4 inches. Distinguished by the chestnut crown, black hne 

 through eye, and black bill. 



Range: Breeds throughout the United States, south to Nicaragua, and 

 north to southern Canada ; winters in the southern United States and southward. 



Habits and economic status : The chipping sparrow is very friendly and 

 domestic, and often builds its nest in gardens and orchards or in the shrubbery 

 close to dwellings. Its gentle and confiding ways endear it to all bird lovers. 

 It is one of the most insectivorous of all the sparrows. Its diet consists of about 

 42 per cent of insects and spiders and 58 per cent of vegetable matter. The 

 animal food consists largely of caterpillars, of which it feeds a great many to 

 its young. Besides these, it eats beetles, including many weevils, of which one 

 stomach contained 30. It also eats ants, wasps, and bugs. Among the latter are 

 plant lice and black olive scales. The vegetable food is practically all weed seed. 

 A nest with four young of this species was watched at different hours on four 

 days. In the seven hours of observation 119 feedings were noted, or an average 

 of 17 feedings per hour, or 4^ feedings per hour to each nestling. This would 

 give for a day of 14 hours at least 238 insects eaten by the brood. 



Birds 



By Ralph Waldo Emerson 



Darlings of children and of bard, 

 Perfect kinds by vice unmarred, 

 All of worth and beauty set. 

 Gems in Nature's cabinet ; 

 These the fables she esteems. 

 Realty most like to dreams. 

 Welcome back, you little nations. 

 Far traveled in the south plantations ; 

 Bring your music and rhythmic flight. 

 Your colors for our eyes' delight ; 

 Freely nestle in our roof. 

 Weave your chamber weatherproof ; 

 And your enchanting manners bring. 

 And your autumnal gathering. 

 Exchange in conclave general 

 Greetings kind to each and all. 

 Conscious each of duty done. 

 And unstained as the sun. 



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