40 Birds of Lezviston-Auburn 



59. (595) ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 



Summer resident. I have seen one as early as May 

 10, but it is more common later. The passage south is in 

 September, the 14th being my latest date. It sings till 

 the last of July, a song similar to that of the robin — 

 somewhat less varied, using the same strain over and 

 over. 



60. (587) TOWHEE; CHEA\^NK 



A rare summer resident. This is about the northern 

 limit of its migration. I have seen these birds at ML 

 Apatite and along the Turner Road in North Auburn. It 

 appears early in May (May 7 my earliest date) and 

 departs late in September. It sings occasionally as late as 

 the first of September and I have heard its call-note Sep- 

 tember 25th. This is one of the birds that gave me more 

 than one year of excursions for its identification. 



61. (585) FOX SPARROW 



A spring and autumn migrant. Some years it may be 

 seen for two weeks after its arrival the last of March. 

 Other years its stay may be brief. In autumn it is about 

 the last migrant to return from the north, arriving here 

 the last of October and departing the last of November. 

 It has been known to sing during the fall migration. 



I cannot forget hearing, one April morning after a 

 rain, the beautiful whistles from a fiock that had arrived 

 during the night. Blanchan says it is the most welcome 

 "glad surprise" of all the spring. Such a song at such a 

 time, the bleak days of early spring, is enough to summon 

 out of doors anybody with a musical ear. "His voice is 

 loud, clear and melodious, his notes full, rich and varied." 



62. (584) SWAMP SPARROW 



A summer resident ; not common. It arrives the first 

 of April. I have heard it at Lake Auburn and Sabattus 



