246 LAND BIRDS 
surpassed by few of that family. In the quiet woodlands 
of his summer home, he sits on the topmost bough of the 
dusky thicket and pours out his joy in a song of exquisite 
melody, clear and pure as that of a thrush, yet lacking 
the spiritual quality of the latter. The song has a won- 
derful carrying power withal, that renders it peculiarly 
attractive. 
But it is as a scratcher that he excels all his kind. 
Among the dead leaves under a thicket, he may be 
heard rivalling a 
towhee in the vigor 
with which he 
makes the dirt fly. 
A few steps for- 
ward, and a sud- 
: den kick out with 
585a. TOWNSEND SPARROW. both feet, then a 
“ The way he digs for his supper.” thorough searching 
of the ground laid bare, is the way he digs for his supper. 
With the same energy that characterizes his scratching, 
he wooes his chestnut mate by alternate scoldings and 
songs, treating her with the lordly airs of a successful 
suitor, and fairly compelling her to accept him. To his 
credit be it said that he does his share of the nest build- 
ing, such as it is, and though a tyrant, he is a brave 
guardian of his brood. When, after twelve days of 
patient brooding, the eggs are transformed into naked 
nestlings, he is ready to scratch enthusiastically all day 
for their sustenance. And this is really just what he is 
compelled to do so long as they remain in the nest and 
