Field Sparrow 83 



Field Sparrow. — Spizella pusilla. 5.68 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Bill bright reddish-brown; general color light 

 slaty-gray on under parts, to reddish-brown on upper 

 parts; gray line over eye; crown reddish-brown. 



This very common species arrives early in Spring and 

 departs late in the Fall. It is fond of dry fields and pastures 

 where it builds its dainty nest on the ground, or in a low 

 bush. The five eggs are white, finely speckled with light 

 brown. Field Sparrow is a very sweet singer. Sometimes, 

 in arid places, his mellow, chromatic performance is the only 

 bird song heard. 



Chipping Sparrow. — Spizella socialis. 5.38 



Very Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Black line through eye; back brown, crown 

 brighter shade; under parts gray. 



In olden days, before the English Sparrow had become 

 lord of the urban domain, Chippy was a fearless visitant in 

 city door-yards, and even built his nest and reared the young 

 in a sheltering shrub or fruit tree. Now, he keeps well out 

 in the country, though he has sometimes held his own in large 

 parks. A few remain in Washington Park and build their 

 nests in the shrubbery. As his specific name implies Chippy 

 is of a sociable disposition, showing no aversion to the 



