FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 303 



561* Spizella pallida^ (Swains.). Clay-colored Sparrow. Ad. — 



With a general resemblance to immature S. socialis^ but less rufous above, 

 whiter below, the line over the eye white, and the rump pale grayish brown 

 instead of slaty gray. W., 2-40 ; T., 2-35 ; B., -34. 



Eange. — Interior of North America ; breeds from northern Nebraska, cen- 

 tral Iowa, and northern Illinois northward ; winters from southern Texas 

 southward; accidental in North Carolina. 



Hest^ of grasses, lined with hairs, on the ground or in bushes. Eggs, three 

 to live, similar to those of S. socialls. 



" This pale Sparrow of the plains is very siraihir in actions to the 

 Chipping Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in habits" (Goss). 



Brewer's Sparrow {562. Spizella breweri), a western species, has been 

 recorded once from Massachusetts. 



563. Spizella pusilla ( WHs.). Field Sparrow. Ad. — Bill reddish 



brown ; top of the head rufous, a gray line over the eye; nape slightly gray ; 

 back like the crown, but finely streaked with black and narrowly edged with 

 brownish ashy ; rump brownish ashy ; middle and greater wing-coverts 

 tipped with white ; under parts white, tinged with ochraceous - bulf on the 

 breast and sides. Im. — Similar, but the colors duller, the crown edged with 

 grayish and sometimes a faint grayish line through its center. Young in first 

 plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5-68 ; W., 2*50 ; T., 2'55 ; 

 B., •3(). 



RemarTcs. — This bird may be known by its brightly colored back, buffy 

 breast, and especially by its reddish bill. 



Range. — Eastern North America; breeds fronl southern Illinois and South 

 Carolina to Quebec and Manitoba; winters from Illinois and Virginia south- 

 ward. 



Washington, very common P. R. Sing Sing, common S. E., Apl. 2 to Nov. 

 7. Cambridge, common S. E., Apl. 15 to Nov. 1. 



J^est., of rather coarse grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, etc., lined with line 

 grasses and long hairs, on the ground or in low bushes. Eggs., three to five, 

 white or bluish white, ^with numerous rufous markings, chiefly about the 

 larger end, -70 x -52. 



Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, and espe- 

 cially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field-marks of this misnamed 

 Sparrow. He is not a true Field Sparrow, but prefers old pastures 

 dotted with clumps of bushes or young cedars. There is something 

 winning in his appearance ; he seems such a gentle, innocent, dove- 

 like little bird. His song is in keeping with his character, being an 

 unusually clear, plaintive whistle, sweeter to the lover of birds' songs 

 than the voice of the most gifted songstress. It is subject to much 

 variation. Not only do fhe same individuals sing several different 

 songs, but two individuals in the same locality rarely sing alike. 

 There is also much variation in the songs of birds from different 

 regions. For this reason it is quite impossible to give a description 



