234 Bird - Lore 



eat this noxious insect, instead of contenting themselves with other kinds of 

 food that might be found in the neighborhood. 



These birds are very fond also of beet-worms, currant-worms, and cater- 

 pillars of many kinds. Edward H. Forbush, who has spent a great deal of 



time in finding out especially what birds eat, says: "In all, 

 Testimon thirty-eight per cent of the food of the Chipping Sparrow 



consists of animal matter, three-fourths of which is made up 

 of noxious insects. In June, ninety-three per cent of the food consists of 

 insects, of which thirty-six per cent is grasshoppers; caterpillars, twenty- 

 five per cent; and leaf-eating beetles, six per cent. I have been much im- 

 pressed with the value of this bird in the garden during the spring and 

 summer months. It destroys at least three species of caterpillar on the 

 cabbage. It is the most destructive of all birds to the injurious pea-louse, 

 which caused a loss of three million dollars to the pea-crop of a single state 

 in one year. It is a persistent destroyer of the grubs that mine the leaves of 

 beets. I watched one bird secure eleven of these grubs in a few minutes." 



The song of the Chipping Sparrow is little more than a continued, mono- 

 tonous repetition of chippy, chippy, chippy. This caU is given in a high, wiry 

 voice, and the notes are run together until the sound suggests the trilling of 

 some insect. Few of the Sparrows have ever attained a very high place as 

 singing birds. 



Late in the summer, Chippy changes his dress. He loses the ruddy brown 

 cap which he has worn all summer, and in appearance now much resembles 



his mate. He then goes to the fields, where you may find him 

 ^ associating with Snowbirds, and with other kinds of Sparrows. 



As insect-food becomes scarce, and cold weather approaches, 

 he changes his diet also, and begins to eat seeds of grasses and weeds. Then 

 there comes a morning when Chippies cannot be found; over large areas of 

 the northern part of their range they have disappeared. During the night they 

 have taken up their long flight toward the South. This journey does not go 

 on continuously, but the birds stop to feed and associate with their friends 

 here and there on the way. 



In the Southern States you may find this bird in winter enjoying the 

 company of friends and neighbors; but wherever found, or under whatever 

 conditions you see it, the Chipping Sparrow shows a gentleness in disposition 

 which insures for it the friendship of all who study its ways and spy upon its 

 coming and going. 



