I02 JOURNAI, OF MAINR ORNITHOLOOICAT, vSOCIETY. 



night they often wake into song. The Chipping Sparrow may be 

 known by the bright chestnut color on the top of its head taken in 

 connection with its diminutive size. 



The Tree Sparrow {Eniberisa canadeyisis) bears considerable 

 resemblance to the Chipping Sparrow, and by some naturalists has 

 been confounded with the latter, but it is much larger, and in song 

 differs widely from it. Mr. Brewer says they remain about Boston 

 all winter, but the speaker had seldom seen them here till weeks 

 after the Song Sparrow had made his appearance in spring. He 

 had never seen their nests ; indeed, he had never seen the birds 

 aljout here during the summer season, and was of the opinion that 

 they migrate farther northward to breed. They, however, make 

 their appearance here in considerable numbers towards the latter 

 part of August, both old and young, on their return. They sing 

 almost as sweetly as the Song Sparrow. 



The Swamp Sparrow {Ammodramus palustris) is a timid species, 

 without song, and has not much except its docile disposition to 

 recommend it. It inhabits along the borders of creeks and streams, 

 and the uplands bordering on the extensive marshes of our sea 

 coasts, builds a nest in a thick tuft of grass, of weeds and fibrous 

 grass, at times partly roofed over, lays four or five eggs, and hatches 

 two broods in a year. Its only note is a public cheep. It feeds on 

 the coarser grass seeds and a few insects. It is abundant, as the 

 season may be, all over the country. 



He next called attention to the large and noble species known 

 as the Fox-colored Sparrow {^Frhigilla iliaca) . According to 

 those who appear to be conversarit with the subject, this species 

 raises its young from Nova Scotia northward to I^abrador, and not 

 within the bounds of our State. It is to be found in our section dur- 

 ing its migration in spring, when it sings beautifully, and it seems 

 to be still more plentiful here in the fall. It delights in localities 

 along the borders of woods, overgrown thickly with undergrowth. 

 If such border on the water, so much the better. In such places 

 small parties, perhaps single families, associate with each other very 

 amicably, but always hold aloof from other species. Mr. B. had 



