THE PERCHING BIRDS. 95 



by the same influences that induce the preceding to 

 take such a journey. Of course there always will 

 be exceptions to such " laws" of migration. I have 

 seen a mounted skin of a long-spur that must have 

 been killed in New Jersey in November, and it has 

 always seemed probable that one or more of these 

 birds might be associated with flocks of horned 

 larks, and so pass, unnoticed, the winter among us. 

 This bird is said to be a fine singer. There are other 

 long-spurs found in the far west and northwest. 



The Grass-finch, Vesper-sparrow, or Rut-runner 

 next commands attention. This is a native bird, mi- 

 gratory also to some extent. I have never failed to 

 see them all winter in Southern New Jersey. In the 

 lower Delaware Valley, where these birds are ex- 

 tremely common, and of course called by that won- 

 drously comprehensive name " Chippy," I have heard 

 the name " Rut-runner" also applied, some observing 

 sweet-potato grower having actually noticed that this 

 little sparrow has the habit of keeping just ahead of 

 an approaching wagon, and, when not on the wing, 

 " runs like a killdeer up the rut." There are few 

 grassy fields, I imagine, where this bird is not found, 

 and you are not likely to mistake it, for it shows two 

 white feathers in its tail when flying. It is a ground 

 bird the greater part of each day, and chirps when 

 startled like any other " chippy ;" but it is a master 

 musician for all that, and, singing at or after sundown, 

 has been aptly called the vesper-sparrow. Bur- 

 roughs's " Wake Robin," which everybody should 

 read, will tell you all about the bird, and in a way, 

 too, that no one else can. 



