Birds of Lezviston-Auburn 43 



migrating the middle of September and nearly all leave in 

 October. I have found one as late as November 14. Like 

 the House Wren it is half domesticated. The song is so 

 common that every one with any knowledge of birds is 

 familiar with it. Occasionally one is heard in the night. 

 The singing grows less and less after late July. 



67. (559) TREE SPARROW; WINTER CHIPPY 



A winter resident ; one of the birds that frequents 

 feeding stations. A straggler may be seen in September, 

 but its regular period of arrival from the North is in 

 October and November. It becomes more plentiful with 

 the approach of spring and returns to its nesting ground 

 in April. 



My introduction to a flock of these birds was one win- 

 ter afternoon as they came to a feeding place in Auburn. 

 They lingered till after sunset, when they flew together 

 toward the roseate hues of the February afterglow. I 

 have spoken of its song in the chapter Spring Migration. 



68. (558) A\TIITE-THROATED SPARROW 



A summer resident. Arrives early in April, becomes 

 plentiful after the middle of the month, continuing so till 

 the latter part of May when the greater number go farther 

 north. In the autumn large flocks reappear in October. 

 A few remain till November and it may be seen in the 

 winter. Its well-known song which has given it the name 

 *Teabody-bird" is one of the sweetest notes of bird music. 

 Winthrop Packard's interpretation, ''Oh, happiness, hap- 

 piness, happiness," appeals to me. The song which is 

 varied by different individuals is so simple that one can 

 whistle a good imitation. In autumn I have heard the 

 most contented gem of song as it feeds under shrubbery. 

 I have heard one at peep of dawn before darkness had 



