THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 57 



of articles for the gratification of its own peculiar appe- 

 tite, that it becomes arboreal. 



The song of this species, if I ma}* be allowed so to 

 characterize it, judging from a human standpoint, lacks 

 both variety and expression. It is in striking contrast 

 with the song of Mdospiza melodia, the common song 

 sparrow, and with that of Spizella jiu-silla, the field spar- 

 row. It cannot fail to attract attention by its utter 

 inharmoniousness. Its ordinary call-note may be quite 

 accurately expressed by the monosyllabic hwi, which is 

 repeated at somewhat irregular intervals. A simple 

 ttn-che, the final syllable being repeated quite sharply, 

 is symbolic of anger; while the cry of vexation and 

 disappointment is indicated by twi-twl-twoo, twl-twi-twoo, 

 uttered in a lively and discordant manner. 



If the sparrow possesses any notes during the period 

 of mating different from what it has been heard to 

 emit at other times, the writer is not cognizant of them. 

 If they exist, they must only be appreciable to persons 

 possessed of a more delicate auditory apparatus than the 

 writer can lay claim to. It would seem that this im- 

 portant period is ushered into existence by the same 

 noisy demonstrations, but, if anything, tenfold more 

 pronounced, as mark the sparrow's daily awakening 

 from the sleep of night. The activity, which is then 

 manifest, is more animated. Contentions, the results 

 of amatory influences, are of frequent occurrence. These 

 are mainly due to desires for particular boxes, and not, 

 as is often erroneously supposed, to desires upon the 

 part of particular males for certain females. I have the 

 best of reasons for believing that, in the generality of 

 cases, the same birds pair on each annual return of the 

 season. My own observations upon this species, in cer- 

 5 



