Song Sparrow 81 



in it than any I know. To be sure the Bluebird is the 

 accepted herald of the vernal season, but his song is cold, 

 unemotional, and impersonal, while that of the Song Sparrow 

 is warm, vibrant with suggestions of the awakening world, 

 and is really the most cheery, hopeful sound in nature during 

 the early Spring. Writers have vied with each other in 

 eulogizing Song Sparrow's vocal powers. He is a true 

 melodist, with a fine sense of measure and rhythm, which has 

 caused him to be classed far above many more pretentious 

 birds whose vocal efforts command attention by their variety 

 and brilliance. 



Song Sparrow is very modest and withal practical. His 

 stage is generally a humble fence-post, and his lyrics are only 

 interludes in a regular routine of household duties. Ofttimes 

 the first nest is made and a complete set of eggs laid by the 

 first of May. The fledglings are no sooner launched on the 

 world than the laying of a second set of eggs is begun. By 

 the first of July, preparations for the rearing of a third family 

 are under way. I have found near Albany as late as 

 August 1 7, nests containing fresh eggs, and the parent birds 

 seemed much interested in what may have been, for all I 

 know, their fourth housekeeping venture of the season. The 

 nest is placed on or near the ground and is often a very pretty 

 structure. One that I found some years ago was composed 

 almost entirely of fresh, yellow straw. 



In eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massa- 

 chusetts, and in the counties of Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, 

 Washington, Fulton, and Montgomery, of New York State, 

 6 



