CHIPPING SPARROW. 11 



cidedly ashy below. Bill, black. Back, reddish, paler than on 

 the crown from which it is separated by a distinct ashy collar, 

 and both collar and back are quite broadly streaked with 

 dark brown. Over eye an ashy line and below this behind eye, 

 a black line. Wings and tail brown, the latter, slightly white 

 banded. No spots nor streaks below. 



Young sirailar,but with the crown and rump black streaked. 

 Nestlings, are streaked below. 



Dimensions. Length, ^.45 ; stretch, 8.50; wing, 2.65; tail, 

 2,35 ; bill, .38 ; tarsus,. 63. 



Comparisons. Aside from the two following species, both 

 of which belong to this genus, and which are compared in the 

 descriptions with this, the Chipping Sparrow, is the only New 

 England Sparrow which combines the clear redhead, Avith the 

 unspotted under parts, excepting the Swamp Sparrow, but 

 this is a larger bird with comparatively shorter wings, is 

 white below, with an ashy band across breast. 



Nests and Eggs. The nests are compact structures, cup- 

 shaped, but shallow, about three inches in diameter, composed 

 outwardly of rootlets and lined with horse hair. Eggs, four 

 or five in number, oval in form, bluish green in color, spot- 

 ted, dotted and lined rather sparingly, with black and lilac. 

 Although I once had an unspotted set of eggs, it is usual to 

 find some spots. Dimensions, Jib by .50. 



General Habits. The Chipping Sparrow is the most 

 social of all our native Sparrows, frequenting orchards, often 

 in the immediate vicinity of houses. Living as they do in di- 

 rect association with human beings, these neat little birds be- 

 come exceedingly tame, and will search for food in summer 

 about our open doors, and when tempted by crumbs of bread, 

 will ofte a even venture to cross the threshold. 



