THE CHIPPING SPARROW 



By T. GILBERT PEARSON 



tlT^e iRational Si00omtion ot audubon ^otittii^ 



EDUCATIONAL LBAFLET No. 80 



In the United States are about forty kinds of useful, interesting birds called 

 Sparrows. Besides the English Sparrow, which is not included in the foregoing 

 statement, the one known to more persons than any other is the little confiding 

 Chipping Sparrow. It is the bird that more than any other, perhaps, shows 

 its absolute trust in mankind. It seems not to care for the deep forest, the 

 windy beaches, the vast marshes, or the impenetrable swamps where so many 

 of the feathered denizens of the land are wont to live. 



If you look for the Chipping Sparrow, particularly in spring, go to the 

 garden, for you can find it there, hopping along the rows of sprouting vegetables. 

 It does not injure any of these tender plants — in fact you may 

 consider yourself fortunate if one or more pairs make their home p.^ , j^ 



in your garden, for they will be familiar and delightful friends. 



You will find it in the apple-orchard, by the roadside, and on the lawn. 

 It will fly up in front of you as you pass along the gravel walk, and will alight 

 on the veranda-railing and look inquiringly at you as you emerge from the 

 door. It is an unobtrusive bird, and really has no human interest, so far as I 

 am aware. One may love or may ignore the Chipping Sparrow, but where 

 is the person who dislikes this friendly bird? It does not get in the way; it 

 does not fill your gutters with dry leaves and trash; and its simple, chipping 

 notes are so low that they would never awaken one of a morning. 



I have always liked the Chipping Sparrow, it is so like a good woman 

 I once knew, who, though very plain and somewhat unimaginative, was 

 nevertheless considerate, thoughtful, and very gentle. Many persons did 

 not notice her, but those who did always spoke kindly of her. 



This is one of the birds that has greatly increased since white men settled 

 the country, for the cultivation of fields and gardens has furnished it just 



the proper amount of protection, and an abundance of the 

 • 1 , • 1 r r 1 On the 



right kind of food. , 



o Increase 



The trees and bushes that men plant in orchards and on 

 their lawns provide splendid places for the Chipping Sparrow to build its nest. 



The cradle for the babies is a very dainty structure. It is made of dry 

 grasses, with a few small twigs to strengthen and support it. In the center of 

 this one will find a smooth cup Hned deeply with horsehair, where four or 

 five pale blue or greenish eggs are laid. Scattered about over the surface of 

 the shell, but particularly numerous around the larger end, is a sprinkling of 

 black or brownish spots. A variety of situations is chosen, so that we may 



I231) 



