THE SONG SPARROW. 85 
the northward moving host spreads over the northern part of the state about 
the middle of March in such numbers as to leave each bird well within cry 
of a score of his fellows. 
Silver-tongue is a bird of the ground and contiguous levels. When hiding 
he does not seek the depths of the foliage in trees, but skulks among the dead 
leaves on the ground, or threads his way through brush piles. If driven from 
one covert the bird dashes to another with an odd jerking flight, working its 
tail like a pump-handle, as tho to assist progress. Ordinarily the bird is not 
fearful, altho retiring 
in disposition. | Occa- 
sionally, however, one 
sneaks so persistently 
or flies so wildly as to 
attract undesirable no- 
tice, and unconsciously 
to set a price upon his 
own head. It Red-eyed 
Vireos and Song Spar- 
rows would remember 
always to look natural, 
their sorrowing friends 
would not need to be- 
wail the day of impul- 
sive collectors. 
The question of 
food supply is least 
troublesome to a_ bird 3 fe 
of this type. If an oft- oe, eo 
repeated adage is cor- 
rect, the Sparrow’s diet GENTLE MINISTRATIONS. 
must be reck« med very IT IS A WARM DAY AND THE FEMALE SONG SPARROW IS BROODING HER YOUNG 
spicy. Seeds of many TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE BURNING SUN; WHILE THE MALE 
sorts,—but no large FROM TIME TO Mei cae ane se FOR MOTHER 
proportion of grain,— 
beetles, bugs, slugs and worms form the bulk of its food. I have even seen 
the bird catch minnows at the edge of a stream, while water insects of several 
sorts contribute their share of unquestionable spice. 
In a season of all around nesting, about one-fifth of the nests found will 
be those of the Song Sparrow. ‘This is because the bird nests everywhere at 
lower levels, and because it raises two or three, or sometimes four, broods in a 
season. The period of incubation is twelve days, and the young are ready to 
leave the nest inas many more. They do not require much care after they are 
