84 The Birds of Albany County 



presence of man; indeed, he is rather partial to the big, 

 ingenious animal, whose scattered bread crumbs make such 

 delectable morsels of food. But Chippy cares nothing for a 

 fight, and, having a natural repugnance for the noisy City 

 Sparrow, he moved to rural parts and there now abides in 

 peace and in great numbers. 



Chipping Sparrows arrive in this County from the South the 

 first week in April and replace the Tree Sparrows, which they 

 closely resemble. Early in May the nest is built, and the 

 four tiny blue eggs, speckled at the larger end with black, 

 are laid. The nest is lined with horsehair, or tiny rootlets. 

 It is a very pretty structure, but is sometimes very insecurely 

 placed on the branch and is apt to be dislodged by rude 

 winds. If this happens another nest is built and housekeeping 

 proceeds as though nothing had occurred. Two or three 

 broods are reared in a season. 



Tree Sparrow. — Spizella montkola. 6.36 



Common in Early Spring and Late Fall; Fairly Common 

 in Winter 



Field marks. — Under parts light gray; single blackish spot in 

 center of breast; upper parts similar to socialis; nearly 

 an inch longer than the Chippy. 



The best time to observe the Tree Sparrows is in March 

 or November. They travel at this time in flocks and 

 frequent light-grown woodsides; no other Sparrows are likely 

 to be present. In midwinter they revel in hollows where 

 cedars and stunted oaks abound. At this time they cannot 



