BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 327 



SPIZELLA PALLIDA (Swainson), (561.) 

 CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. 



The Clay- colored Sparrow was first brought to my notice in 

 the spring of 1875, by T. S. Roberts. Very soon after he 

 obtained his, a considerable number were collected by others as 

 well as myself. Since that time it has become a decidedly 

 familiar species, breeding along the Red river and eastwards 

 to the vicinity of prevalent timber. It arrives in spring from 

 the 25th of April to the 5th of May, but does not remain in 

 this locality. The nest is found on the brush along the water 

 courses, particularly those tributry to the Red river, and the 

 low willowy bushes bordering some of the lakes with which 

 our State abounds. Prom all I have been able to learn from a 

 variety of sources I think that incubation is inaugurated by 

 the first week in June, and two broods of four each is the 

 rule. The structure is, in the words of Dr. Coues' Birds of 

 the Northwest, page 150, — " Inartistically built of fine dried 

 grass-stems, and the slender weed-stalks, with perhaps a few 

 rootlets. It is sometimes lined quite thickly with horse hairs, 

 sometimes not, having instead some very fine grass-tops." 



The color of the egg is light green, and they are thinly 

 speckled with several shades of brown. The speckling is 

 principally confined to the larger end. 



The habits of this species do not materially differ from those 

 of the Chipping Sparrow. The song of the male is said to be 

 less pretentious, but equally persistent with those of the last 

 mentioned species, consisting of a monotonous trio of notes 

 ending in a weak trill. 



Their fall movement southwards is somewhat later than 

 that of the Chipping Sparrow as I must not only infer from 

 local observations, but from Mr. Washburn's notes of observa- 

 tions in the Red river valley. The latter, after having been 

 ordinarily represented throughout that region, were gone 

 while he still found Pallida "common indeed." 



He says: "I met old and young birds on the banks of the 

 Red river, about Georgetown, on the first of August. The 

 young then, were of all ages, but most of them full grown. 

 With their parents they congregate in pastures, and on weed- 

 grown fields in good sized flocks. " I think they have all left 

 the State by the first or second week in October. 



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