92 NEWS FROM THE BIRDS. 



of the stream like a sandpiper, or creeping 

 about somewhat like a mouse under the grasses 

 and weeds. In level countries almost every 

 low place where a little water flows in wet 

 weather is sure to have a pair or two of these 

 merry songsters. 



Their nests are usually built in a tuft of 

 grass on the ground, sometimes hidden quite 

 cozily, and at other times more or less ex- 

 posed. From four to six eggs are laid. Very 

 often, when you approach the marsh or low^- 

 land where their nests are, the males will be- 

 gin to sing their gayest tunes, j)erhaj)s to at- 

 tract your attention from the grassy cottages 

 to themselves, or to make you believe that 

 birds which are so happy could have no nests 

 near by to be uneasy about. But if you go 

 too close, their songs will be turned into hoarse 

 little chirps that express a good deal of anger 

 and alarm. * 



The entire breast of this sparrow^ is mot- 

 tled with dusky spots, and in the center of 

 the chest there is a large dark blotch, by which 

 you may readily tell the song sparrow from his 

 cousin, the grass finch, a bird of about the same 

 size, which Mr. Burroughs calls ^' the poet of 

 our upland pastures." There are many species 

 of the sparrow family, and you should learn to 



