10 CHIPPING SPARROW. 



Comparisons. Quite unlike any other of our Sparrows, 

 the black throat and 3'ellowish colors being characteristic. 



Nests and Eggs. Nests placed in trees or bushes, rather 

 bulky, composed of grass, leaves and rootlets. Eggs, three to 

 five, oval, bluish green, unspotted, .60 by .75. Time of nest- 

 ing, early June. 



General Habits. The Black-throated Bunting was a 

 common species in Southern New England a half a century 

 ago, but is extremely rare, even there. In Massachusetts, it 

 is exceedingly rare, but has been known to breed. It should 

 be looked for on the margin of Melds, when it perches on 

 small trees or fences, where it sits quite upright as it sings. 

 Its yellowish color and black throat will serve to distinguish 

 it at a distance. 



Song. Its lay is simple, consisting of about five notes, the 

 first two sounding like chip-chip, being given slowly, the last 

 three, chee-chee-chee, being given more rapidly. 



Genus. TRUE SPARROWS. Spizella. 

 Bill rather slender. Wings longer than the tail or equal 

 to it. Tail, slightly forked. Colors above reddish, streaked 

 on the back. Top of head always reddish and unstreaked in 

 adult. No streaks below in adults. "Wings slightly banded 

 but there are no conspicuous white markings on the tail. 

 We have three species. Sexes, similar. 



Chipping Sparrow. 



Spizella socialis- 

 Plate I, fig.2. 

 Adult. Form, rather slender. Top of head chestnut 

 red, black on forehead, which is divided by a narrow line ; de- 



