216 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
the same time as do the Chipping Sparrows, like them not col- 
lecting in flocks at this season; and about the middle of May 
they begin to build their nests. Their usual haunts, in sum- 
mer, are pastures, fields (rather seldom those near swamps), 
and the ‘‘scrub.” In these places they feed upon seeds and 
caterpillars, and occasionally, to obtain the former, venture to 
the roads and roadsides. But they are habitually much less 
familiar towards man than their near relations, the well known 
Chipping Sparrows, and lead a more retired life. In Sep- 
tember they collect in flocks, and leave us before October is 
far advanced. At this time they are bolder than before, and 
associate somewhat with other species — especially the ‘‘ Chip- 
pers” ; feeding on the roadsides, and in pastures, stubble-fields, 
and vegetable-gardens. ‘Their powers of flight are not great, 
though they are quite nimble on the ground, and they do not 
ordinarily perch at a greater height than on fences or bushes. 
When frightened, they often disappear among the latter, but 
the female, when on her nest, is often courageous, and permits 
a near Approach. | 
(d). As has just been said, the Field Sparrows occasionally 
remain on their nests (particularly when these are in bushes), 
until one can see them looking up with an anxious, appealing 
expression, which is very charming. Sometimes, however, al- 
most always when the nest is on the ground, they take to 
flight, when one intrudes too boldly, though they at once return 
to the immediate neighborhood, and express their feelings by 
the utterance of repeated chips. Wilson speaks of their chir- 
ruping, by which he probably refers to their occasional twitters, 
but he says that they have no song. But the Field Sparrows 
do sing, and very sweetly, most often in the early morning and 
towards evening, though also at other times of the day. Their 
notes are sweet and very clear, and have been likened to the 
tinkling of a bell. They open with a few exquisitely modu- 
lated whistles, each higher and a very little louder than the 
preceding, and close with a sweet trill. But they are often 
varied; and, says Mr. Allen, ‘“‘the songs of the males” in 
Florida ‘were so different from those of the northern bird that 
