244 Birds of N'orth Caeolina 



in Cherokee County. Collott reports finding; it at the same place on March 0, 1002. 

 Atkinson, in a hst of the birds of Chapel Hill published in the Raleigh A'ewa and 

 Observer about 1887, includes it as a probable winter visitor. (Pearson, Jour. Eli. 

 Mitch. Sci. Soc., Vol. XVI, part 1.) Bruner found this species common at Stuart, 

 Va., only six miles north of th(> Stokes County, N. C, line on Oct. 18, 1913. 



237. Spizella passerina passerina {Bech.<<t.). Chipping Sparhow. 



DescrijAion: .li/.s. — Foivheiul lilack, u short grayish line in its middle; top of head rufous; 

 the nape generally with a few Mack streaks; a grayish lino over the eye and a black lino heliind 

 it; back of the neck gi'ayish, sc'parating tlie rufous crown from the back; back streaked with 

 black, a little rufous, and more [)ale InilT}' ochraceous; rump slaty gray; wing-bars not conspicuous; 

 underparts grayish white, whiter on the throat and belly; bill entirely black. Ada. in u-inler imtl 

 I/ii. — Similar, jiut no rufous crown-cap or black on the forehead; top of the head streaked like 

 the back; bill brownish. Nestlings have the breast streaked with black. L., .5.37; \V., 2.74; 

 T., 2,29; B., ..30. 



Remarks. — In adults the rufous crown, black forehead, gi"ay rump, and black bill arc charac- 

 teristic; in winter the gi'ay rump is a good distinguishing mark. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. — Eastern North .\merica, wintering mainly south of this State. 



Range in North Carolina. — Summer visitor in tlie central and western sections, resident in 

 the east. 



FlO. 1U3. ClIIlM'INO Sl'.MOtUW. 



At Raleigh this species is one of our most abimdant birds, arriving in Marcii 

 and not leaving until October or November. C. S. Brimley took one at Raleigh on 

 December 29. In the mountains it arrives about the same time or a little later. 



It is partial to pine \voods, as well as the iiciKhborliood of dwellings. The nest 

 is built on the horizontal limb of a pine, oak, or other tree, seldom less than six 

 or seven feet, and often twenty or thirty feet, from tlie ground; the birds also build 

 in ^voodbines, climbing roses, and other convenient places in gardens or on lawns. 

 The nest is made of grass and fine weed stems, and is usually lined with iiorschair. 

 The eggs are generally foiu', of a bhiish green groimd-color, spotteil near the larger 

 eiul with dark brown or black; and they are laid in Maj', .June, or early July. To 

 many persons this bird is known as "Tree Sparrow" from the situation of its nest. 



On account of its numbers, and its seeking the neighborhood of hmnan habita- 

 tions, the Chipping Sparrow is economically of importance, as it is one of the few 

 birds which WA\ seek its insect-food in our gardens. Pearson once watched a Chi])- 

 ping S])arrow capture thirty-six insects in five minutes. The bird also eats many 

 seeds of grasses and weeds. Its singing contimies from the time it arrives till about 

 the middle of summer, after which time it is heard no more. 



