14 FIELD SPARROW. 



or in low swamps where the undergrowth is thick. When 

 with us they associate in flocks often in company with the 

 Snow Birds. On pleasant days the Tree Sparrows are found 

 feeding on the ground or moving rather leisurely throuo;h low 

 bushes, but in stormy weather or at night they retreat to 

 evergreen trees for protection against the cold. 



Song. In autumn, and sometimes during warm days in 

 winter, the Tree Sparrows have a low warbling song vrhich 

 when given by a number together and heard at a little dis- 

 tance, produces a confused murmur. In spring, late in March 

 or in early April, they emit a loud, clear song which begins 

 with two high notes, then falls to a few other lower tones and 

 ends with a low but exceedingly sweet warble. Even this 

 fine chant may not be the true breeding song. 



Field Sparrow. 



Spizella pusilla. 

 Plate II, Fig. 2. 



About the size of the Chipping Sparrow, but redder above, 

 the color of the back being nearly uniform with that of the 

 crown which is several shades paler than the crown of the 

 Chipping Sparrow. Beneath the color is buify especially on 

 the breast. There is no spot here, however, as in the Tree 

 Sparrow, nor is there any black on the side of the head as in 

 the Chipping Sparrow. The bill is of a decided reddish brown, 

 and the feet are pale reddish brown. 



Dimension. Length, 5.90 ; stretch, 8.15 ; wing, 2.55; tail, 

 2.45 ; bill, .38 ; tarsus, .73. 



Comparisons. This is decidedly the reddest of all of our 

 Sparrows which are unstreaked below, this rufou s tinteven 



