TREE SPARROW. 



559. Spizella monticola. 6^ inches. 



A blackish -brown spot in middle of breast; crown 

 reddish brown with no black about the head; back and 

 wings with considerable brown. 



These Sparrows are summer residents of the Arctic 

 region, passing the winter in the northern half of the 

 U. S. They bear considerable resemblance to our com- 

 mon Chipping Sparrow, but are larger and have char- 

 acteristic markings as noted above. They appear in 

 the U. S. in October and many of them pass the win- 

 ter in the fields and gardens in our northern states. 



Note. — A musical chirp; song, strong, sweet and 

 musical and ending in a low warble. 



Nest. — Usually on the ground, but sometimes at low 

 elevations in bushes. Eggs pale greenish blue with 

 brown specks over the whole surface, thus being very 

 different from those of the Chipping Sparrow (.80 x .60). 



Range. — N. A. east of the Plains, breeding in Labra- 

 dor and about Hudson Bay; winters in northern half 

 of the U. S. A sub-species, 559a. Western Tree Spar- 

 row (ochracea) is paler; it is found from the Plains to 

 the Pacific, breeding in the north. 



