324 NOTES ON THE 



trees, more especially in the north and eastern portions. The 

 nests are found in trees, bushes and on the ground, formed 

 exteriorly of dried grass and mud, and lined with down from 

 woods and fine, soft hairs. Eggs, light greenish-blue, marked 

 with blotches and spots of different shades of red and brown, 

 resembling much those of the Song Sparrow. 



When I record as a permanent resident a species so well 

 known as the Tree Sparrow, I take for granted that no one 

 will infer it to be anywise abundant during our rigorous 

 winters. During those seasons only small flocks are ordinarily 

 seen, sometimes only two or three individuals until approaching 

 spring, when these smaller bands are merged into larger ones, 

 until by the latter part of March — the time the migration north- 

 ward is begun — when they may be only surpassed in numbers 

 by the Snowbirds. 



The earliest I have ever met them near this city was March 

 3, and the latest individuals have rarely lingered until the last 

 of April. Their times however of principal arrival and de- 

 parture have averaged March 25th and April 25th. They 

 return from their more northern breeding places about the 

 25th of September to the first of October, varying greatly 

 with the thermal character of the seasons. The greater part 

 of them leave us here about the 15th of November. I saw 

 some December 25th, 1874, and Mr. John Roberts again saw 

 small parties of them in January, 1876. Dr. Hvoslef's notes 

 at Lanesboro record them December 28th, February 23d, 

 March 18th. I have a letter from him under date February 

 3d, 1886, which says: — "There are hundreds of them here." 



I cannot, in speaking briefly of some of their habits, refrain 

 from transcribing a few lines from the pen of Dr. Coues in 

 "Birds of the Northwest," page 147. He says: — "On several 

 occasions, when the thermometer was far below zero, the river 

 frozen solid for two feet in depth, and snow on the ground, I 

 have unexpectedly come upon little groups of these birds 

 hiding away close to the ground, amongst and under a net- 

 work of vines and rank herbdge, close enough to collect and 

 retain a mantle of snow. When startled at such times they 

 have a low, pleasant chirp as they flutter into sight among the 

 brushes, scattering a little, but only to collect again and seek 

 their snug retreat as soon as left to themselves. Whether 

 rendered careless by the cold, or through a natural heedless- 

 ness, they are very tame at such times. They sit unconcern- 

 edly on the twigs, it may be but a few feet distant chirping 



