204 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
of a light but bright greenish blue, chiefly marked by cloudings 
of Vandyke-brown (in some places umber) and lilac, grouped 
in an irregular ring about the larger end. A seventh resem- 
bles strongly the ordinary egg of the Swamp Sparrow, and 
another is dull white, with markings so feeble as to be almost 
invisible., Still other forms exist, with various combinations, 
to detail all of which would be impossible. 
(c). On winter-days one may sometimes see certain small 
birds, skulking from thicket to thicket in the swamps, or other 
cheerless places, occasionally hopping on the ground to pick up 
the seeds which have fallen from the weeds upon the snow, now 
and then emitting a rather melancholy note; and these are the 
Song Sparrows, for a few always pass the winter in Eastern 
Massachusetts, though strange to say much less common, at 
least in one township, during the past very mild winter than in 
the preceding one, an extraordinarily severe season. This 
was also the case with the Robins. Besides having seen the 
Song Sparrows, I have also heard their song near Boston, 
in every month of the year, but in winter they are rare. 
About the middle of March they first practise their spring 
carols; and those who have passed the colder weather in the 
South then return to their spring-haunts. During the latter 
part of March and early April they are extremely abundant, 
particularly in swamps and about vegetable-gardens, and in 
those places associate with other species, especially the Fox- 
colored Sparrows. They also become less shy than they are 
in winter, and some, to a certain extent, frequent shrubbery 
about houses, where, however, I have known one to remain 
throughout the year. ‘Wherever they may be, at this season, 
they are in full song, and their haunts resound with the confu- 
sion of a hundred melodies poured out by these birds and their 
associates. Though the Song Sparrows cannot properly be 
called gregarious, yet in spring they often collect in large 
64Mr. Maynard also says (in “‘ The Naturalist’s Guide,” p. 118) :—‘‘ Mr. Brewster 
informs me that he has taken it (7. e. the Song Sparrow) every month in the year; 
has even heard it sing in January.” 
