100 THE Birps Asout US. 
There should be a small tree or two scattered about, 
for the elevated perch with a commanding outlook 
is almost needed to induce our little favorite to put 
forth his best efforts. 
The Field-sparrow comes early and stays late, 
and not a very small percentage have of late omitted 
the migratory flight. In May they build pretty little 
nests, usually just off the ground, and in Central 
New Jersey raise two broods. 
Those that migrate do so in loose flocks, and, 
associated with chippies, remain in companies until 
it is time to return to their proper homes, their sum- 
mer nesting- and resting-places. 
In various parts of the country there are snow- 
birds that are peculiar to the areal limits they visit. 
Ridgway mentions seven and some varieties. Some 
of these are more elaborately marked than others, 
though none are brightly colored. A\ll are lively, 
sociable little birds, and as aclass are fond of each 
other’s company, and wander in loose flocks, often 
containing a large number of individuals. 
The Snow-bird “breeds from Northern New Eng- 
land northward, and on the higher hills south to 
North Carolina. It is an 
abundant summer resident” 
of Eastern Canada. “The 
song is very similar to that 
of the Chipping Sparrow.” 
It usually places its nest upon 
the ground. My own im- 
pression of the song is that it is sweeter and more 
elaborate than that of the chippy. On April 6, 1879, I 

Snow-bird. 
