FOX-COLOKED SPARROW. 69 



small flocks, frequenting low thickets on the margins of wood- 

 lands, into which they retreat when disturbed. Sometimes, 

 they occur by roadsides or along fence rows. They are often 

 found upon the ground, scratching about among the fallen 

 leaves in search of food. They are not especially shy birds 

 and can be approached quite readily if moderate caution be used. 

 I found the Fox Sparrow abundant on the Magdalen Islands 

 in summer, breeding in the little glades, which are surrounded 

 by the low growing, but thick-branched spruces and hemlocks, 

 which are so characteristic of these wind-swept islands. 



The eggs are deposited about the last week in June, and the 

 young appear late in July. The latter part of October the birds 

 are in Massachusetts again, where they linger often until the 

 first week in December, when they depart for the south, win- 

 tering from the Middle States to the Gulf of Mexico. 



Song. While in Massachusetts, the usual note is a sharp 

 chirp of alarm occasionally, however, they attempt to sing, but it 

 was not until 1 visited the Magdalens, that I learned that their 

 musical eftbrts when with us, although fine, were but the pre- 

 lude to their more finished attainments. Their summer song 

 as given there, begins with three clear, rather rapidlv given 

 notes, uttered with increasing emphasis, then a pause ensues, 

 and the remainder of the chant is poured forth more deliberately 

 terminating with a well rounded note, giving a finish to a 

 song which, for sweetness and olearness of tone, is seldom 

 surpassed even by our best performers. 



