SPRIN'G ARRIVAL OF THE BIRDS. S5 



dia, but are more plentiful in grassy fields and along 

 country highways, where they are particularly musical 

 on warm, cloudy days and just at dusk. The songs of 

 the melodia and gramineus differ in continuity and 

 time ; in other respects their similarity makes it diffi- 

 cult for many persons to distinguish the one from the 

 other. The theme of the song sparrow is broken, and 

 consists of from three to five bars or strains ; that of 

 the vesper is continuous, the notes beginning slowly, 

 but rapidly accelerating in time until near the close, 

 when the song diminishes in volume, the last notes 

 becoming almost inaudible. The vesper sparrows are 

 classed among the ecstatic singers, as they pour out the 

 notes in the same fervent manner as do the veeries and 

 quavering, or field sparrows. They are gregarious and 

 sociable even during the nesting season, several pairs 

 generally living in the same immediate neighborhood. 

 At twilight their concerts are a delightful feature of coun- 

 try life. One will sing his sweet, though somewhat 

 plaintive song, then another wdll take up the strain, 

 and perhaps another and another, until half a dozen or 

 more will be engaged in this vesper service, making 

 almost a continuous strain of melody. These sparrows, 

 unlike most of the family, usually nest in open places, 

 making a cal-efully constructed nest on the ground in a 

 little excavation Avithout any cover or shelter. Perhaps 

 this is a cunning ruse to deceive the little animals that 

 go about nights probing around every tussock and 

 hillock in quest of eggs and young birds. We know 

 this clever bird, when scared from the nest, will run 



