Species V. FRINGILLA MELODIA. 



SONG SPARROW. 



[Plate XVI. Fig. 4.] 



Fasciated Finch ? Arct. Zool. p. 375, No. 252. 



So nearly do many species of our Sparrows approximate to each 

 other in plumage, and so imperfectly have they been taken notice of, 

 that it is absolutely impossible to say, with certainty, whether the 

 present species has ever been described or not. And yet, of all our 

 Sparrows, this is the most numerous, the most generally diffused over the 

 United States, and by far the earliest, sweetest, and most lasting song- 

 ster. It may be said to be partially migratory, many passing to the 

 south in the month of November ; and many of them still remaining 

 with us, in low close sheltered meadows and swamps, during the whole 

 of winter. It is the first singing bird in spring, taking precedence even 

 of the Pewee and Blue-bird. Its song continues occasionally during 

 the whole summer and fall ; and is sometimes heard even in the depth 

 of winter. The notes, or chant, are short but very sweet, resembling 

 the beginning of the Canary's song, and frequently repeated, generally 

 from the branches of a bush or small tree, where it sits chanting for an 

 hour . together. It is fond of frequenting the borders of rivers, mea- 

 dows, swamps, and such like watery places ; and if wounded, and un- 

 able to fly, will readily take to the water, and swim with considerable 

 rapidity. In the great cypress swamps of the Southern States in the 

 depth of winter, I observed multitudes of these birds mixed with several 

 other species ; for these places appear to be the grand winter rendez- 

 vous of almost all our Sparrows. I have found this bird in every dis- 

 trict of the United States from Canada to the southern boundaries of 

 Georgia ; but Mr. Abbot informs me, that he knows of only one or two 

 species that remain in that part of Georgia during the summer. 



The Song Sparrow builds in the ground, under a tuft of grass ; the 

 nest is formed of fine dry grass, and lined with horse hair ; the eggs are 

 four or five, thickly marked with spots of reddish brown on a white, 

 sometimes bluish white ground ; if not interrupted, he raises three 

 broods in the season. I have found his nest with young as early as 

 the 26th of April, and as late as the 12th of August. What is singular, 

 the same bird often fixes his nest in a cedar tree, five or six feet from 



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