THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 77 



New York Stone records the first nest May L In Connect- 

 icut Mr. Sage gives the first nest May 19. 



In Texas. North Carolina, New York, and Iowa, nests 

 are above ground at all seasons, either in grass, weeds, 

 bushes, or trees, usually not more than two feet, often orrly 

 a few inches; Mr. Smithwick records one nest in a cedar, 

 thirty feet up ; this is very unusual. In Wisconsin all 

 three observers say that the first nest is placed on the 

 ground, later ones in grass or bushes. Mr. Sage says that 

 nests are usually on the ground, sometimes in bushes. 

 There seems to be a tendency for the birds to seek the 

 ground at the north and shun it at the south. Can weath- 

 er be the cause ? 



In any situation the nest is made of about the same ma- 

 teiials. in the same manner. Small weed stems, dry grass, 

 and long hairs from a cow's tail are th3 regulation materi- 

 als, all woven into a neat nest. Often a few leaves may be 

 used. But downy and cottony substances are avoided. The 

 location chosen is usually in the vicinity of a woods, in the 

 l>rush and shrubs skirting it. Mr. Oldright finds that in 

 Travis County, Texas, this sparrow is confined to one small 

 tract near Austin. 



Field Sparrow lays from four to six eggs, average five, 

 according to Clark ; three to five, average four. Strong ; 

 four average, Howe ; three to six. average five, in Iowa ; 

 three or four, average four, in Texas, Oldright ; two to 

 four, average three, in North Carolina, Smithwick ; three 

 to four, average four, New York. Stone ; three to five, av- 

 erage four, Peck ; three to five, average four, in Connecti- 

 cut. Sage. Cowbird frequently inposes upon this sparrow. 

 Two broods are raised in most localities. 



In color the eggs are buffy. clay, or often greenish, white, 

 rather thickly spotted, blotched, and washed, with several 

 light shades of brown, and lavender ; the markings being 

 more pronounced and thicker at the larger end, sometimes, 

 becoming confluent so as to hide the ground color. The 

 eggs are rather elongate, oval, or ovate, in form. They 



