food, bringing the very smallest price imaginal)le. in Palestine two of them were 

 sold for the least piece of money in use, though what anybody wants of two 

 sparrows, unless to make a baby's meal, we do not know. 



The tree-sparrow of England is common in the Holy Laud, and it was prob- 

 ably this bird to which the New Testament alhides. 



Of our American sparrows, the fox-sparrow is probably the most beautiful 

 in markings. By its name one might imagine it had something to do with foxes, 

 and so it has, but in color only, being a rich foxy brown in its darker tints. This 

 bird is seen all winter in Washington on the Capitol grounds, scratching in the 

 leaves for food and singing its loyal melody. The fox-sparrow has been some- 

 times detained in captivity, but as a rule grows too fat for a good singer. It 

 seems to be the same with them as with our domestic fowls — if too fat they give 

 poor returns. The hen and the sparrow and most people must scratch for a living, 

 would they make a success in life. But who would want to cage a sparrow unless 

 it be an invalid who can never ^o out of the room. Even here, if the invalid have 

 a window-sill it were better; for the window-sill is sparrow's own delight, if it 

 be furnished with crumbs. Or, if one would sec some fim, let the crumbs be in 

 a good round loaf tightly fastened. This, let the sparrow understand, is for 

 him alone, and he will burrow to the heart of it. Caged birds make sorry com- 

 panions. 



Lark Sparrow {Chondestes grammacus and sub-species) 



Length, about 6)4 inches. The variegated head markings and white outer 

 tail feathers distinguish this species. 



Range : From western Pennsylvania and western ALiryland and the 

 Mississippi valley westward ; and from southern British Columbia and southern 

 Saskatchewan to central .Alabama, northern Louisiana. Texas and south into 

 Mexico; winters from norlliern California, soutlurn Texas and southern 

 Mississippi to Guatemala. 



With some of the habits of the grass finch and. like that species. ha\ ing the 

 tail feathers lipped with white, the lark sparrow yet possesses distincti\e traits 

 of its own and after a little scrutiny can be mistaken for no other S]>ecies. Its 

 peculiar head markings have suggested the local western name of "snake ])ird." 

 althnugh the reason is not quite obvious. The lark finch is usually \ery abundant 

 where found at all, and inhabits the open country, jirairie, plain and desert. It 

 is often to be seen running along the dusty roads or perching on the roadside 

 bushes and fences. It is a really tine songster and the possession of a musical 

 voice has led to its ca])ture and sale as a cage l")ird. 



It has peculiar claims on the interest of the western farmer since it is to be 

 classed in the front r.-uik of sparrows .-is a de^^trover of grasshoppers. Tiiese 

 harmful insects and r)thers constitute .about :i third of its food for the vear. while 

 weed seeds of great variety form the other two-thirds. 



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