PASSERELLA ILIACA : FOX SPARROW. 277 



Although this handsome Finch is given by Allen 

 in the catetrory of species limited in their southward 

 range in the breeding season by the Canadian Fauna, 

 — which is equivalent to a statement that it breeds in 

 northern New England, — I can nevertheless tind no 

 record to establish the reasonable inference. Having 

 also no information of the presence of the bird in win- 

 ter within our limits, the species must be considered, 

 for the present at least, as one of those which are 

 migrants, pure and simple, through our country. In 

 whatever event to the contrary, as an occasional mat- 

 ter, the Fox Sparrow's principal part in New England 

 is that of a spring and fall passenger to and from the 

 Hudsonian Fauna. It enters the country early in Octo- 

 ber, becomes generally distributed during that month, 

 and may be seen in southerly districts all through No- 

 vember. Returning, it reaches Connecticut early in 

 March, and crenerallv takes about six weeks to com- 

 . plete the vernal movement. Conspicuous as it is by 

 its size and beauty, it is t'urthermore one of the most 

 accomplished vocalists of its tribe. While with us, it 

 haunts shrubbery and undergrowth of all kinds, pine 

 and alder thickets, hedge-rows, and sometimes weedy 

 fields, keeping much on the ground, where it is fond 

 of rambling and scratching, much like a Thrasher or 

 Towhee Bunting. Its ordinary note is a tsif, sound- 

 in o- rather weak to come from so able-bodied a bird. 

 When disturbed in its retreats, it has a habit of mount- 

 ing to some elevated or exposed perch, apparently to 

 investigate the cause of the alarm, before determining 

 to secrete itself in the recesses of the covert. At such 

 times it may readily be seen or secured, but is hard to 

 find when once it has made off in alarm. The note 



