40 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 70. 



gorge on Jaiuiai'y 1, 1906. The median date of departure of the 

 bulk is May 12, of the last, May 16, but tlie individuals tarry until 

 May 21 (1904). The median date of arrival in fall is September 

 26. of departure, November 3. It is possible that an occasional 

 pair remains to breed, but if so none have ever been found. 



163. SpizclJa nioiiticola. — Tree Sparrow. 



Our most numerous winter bird. Small to considerable flocks 

 range along the sand spit and out into the frozen marshes all win- 

 ter. It is usually associated with Juncos and Song Sparrows, and 

 frequently with Cardinals, but also occurs alone. The' median date 

 of spring departure of the bulk is April 7, of the last. April 27; of 

 arrival in fall, October 25. Flocks of from a few individuals to at 

 least 300 range over the whole country all winter, visiting the door- 

 yards in town as well as penetrating into the depest woods, and 

 gleaning from open fields. It is a not infrequent visitor to the lunch 

 counter in the heart of Oberlin. This sparrow suffers more from 

 attacks of the Northern Shrike than any other, probably because it 

 is the most numerous. Pigeon Hawks also prey upon it. The con- 

 stant cheerful twitter of the Tree Sparrows, and their habit of 

 bursting into full song while the snow is falling and the wind 

 blowing in midwinter, make it seem a most welcome visitor when 

 most other birds are absent or silent. 



164. SpiseUa passerina. — Chipping Sparrow. 



Common about human habitations all summer. It is everywhere 

 in parks and dwellings, and about the premises of country houses, 

 often nesting in the vines which cover a trellis to shade a porch. 

 It also nests in ornamental vines and shrubs which afford a suf- 

 ficiently dense network of branches or twigs. I have many times 

 noted it nesting in such situations long after the buildings had dis- 

 appeared and the region deserted by human beings. One such place 

 was clearly an old Indian " kitchen midden." The median date of 

 arrival is April 1, the earliest March 27. 1905. The median date of 

 departure of the bulk is September 24, of the last, October 15. The 

 birds usually become common within a few days after the arrival 

 of the first one. Naturally the sand spit is not a suital)le place for 

 the nesting of this species, but it has been found common during 

 the migrations, especially toward and at the west end. Probably a 

 few i)airs breed about the sunnner resort grounds, but the noises 

 there and the confusion of crowds drown its voice and make it 

 timid. 



