THE FIELD SPARROW AND THE CHIPPER 33 
the beginner to notice. Another is a wash of 
buff, or yellowish brown, on the sides of the 
breast. The upper parts, too, are in general 
much lighter than the chipper’s. 
You will not be likely often to find this bird 
in your garden or about the lawn. He is called 
the field sparrow, but he lives mostly in dry old 
pastures, partly overgrown with bushes and trees. 
His nest is placed on the ground, or in a low 
bush, and is often lined wholly or in part with 
hair. He and the chipper belong to what is 
called the same genus. That is to say, the two 
are so nearly related that they have the same 
surname. The chipper is Spizella socialis, the 
field sparrow is Spizella pusilla; just as two 
brothers will have one name in common, say, 
Jones, William, and Jones, Andrew. 
The chipper is a favorite on account of his 
familiar, friendly ways. The field sparrow de- 
serves to be known and loved for his music. 
Few birds sing better, in my opinion, though 
many make more display and are more talked 
about. The beauty of the song is in its sweet- 
ness, simplicity, and perfect taste. It begins 
with three or four longer notes, which run at 
once into quicker and shorter ones, either on the 
same pitch or a little higher. Really the strain 
is almost too simple to make a description of: a 
