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EMBERIZA SOCIALIS— WILSON. 

 CHIPPING BUNTING. 



Chipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Wils. Amer. Oin. 

 Fringillasocialis, Bonap. Syn. 

 Ciiipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Nutt. Man. 

 Chipping Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill black, brighter at the base of the lower 

 mandible, at the nostril a white band passing over the eye ; from 

 the ridge of the upper mandible two black lines diverging toward the 

 eyes ; from the corner of the mouth a black band passing through the 

 eye. In winter the color of the bill is lighter, the general mark- 

 ings more obscure. Adult with the upper part of the head bright 

 chestnut red ; fore part of the back streaked with dusky, bright 

 chestnut, and yellowish gray ; a ring round the neck ; a band over 

 the eye white ; throat light bluish-gray, streaked with dusky ; quills 

 and tail dusky brown — the former margined with light red, the lat- 

 ter with yellowish-gray ; two white bands on the wings ; breast 

 and sides pale gray, inclining to white. Young with the lower 

 parts speckled with dusky. Length five inches and a quarter, 

 wing two and three-eighths. 



This, like the former species, is very generally known by the 

 name of "Chipping Bird." It is rather more abundant than the 

 preceding, and its habits more familiar. It frequents the orchards 

 and gardens, and is plentiful on the fields and along the road-side ; 

 it visits the towns and villages, and during spring sings sweetly. 

 Early in the month of May it builds its nest, which is placed in the 

 fruit-trees in the garden or orchard, and sometimes in a cedar bush, 

 exteriorly framed of fine dried grass, and lined with hair ; the eggs, 

 four or five in number, are of a bright greenish-blue color, slightly 

 marked with dark and light brown spots. In the month of Octo- 

 ber it migrates southward, and returns to us in the latter part of 

 March. 



