THE CHIPPING SPARROW. 153 



which is about three inches shorter, has more of the grayish 

 or bluish tinge in the upper parts; and the under parts are 

 lighter often nearly white. 



This is a typical Falcon, having the short, abruptly-curved 

 and pointed bill,, with a sharp tooth just back of the point, 

 and a corresponding notch in the lower truncate mandible; 

 the wings are long and pointed, the second 'primary being 

 longest. This species may be recognized by its large feet, 

 its round nostril, with a point in the center, and the dark 

 cheek-marking starting from the base of the bill. 



The Old World representative of this sgecies has been 

 most renowned in falconry. In this princely sport, practiced 

 very extensively from the most ancient times tiH after the 

 use of fife-arms, and still continuing more or less in vogue, 

 the Peregrine Falcon has ever proved most susceptible of 

 training; "waiting on" the master to perfection, "ringing" 

 the Heron as he " takes the air," and " binding " him in the 

 most gallant and sportive manner. A weird sight these 

 Hawks must have been, as they were carried forth on the 

 wrist or on frames to the hunt, all hooded and trapped out 

 in the most fantastic manner; and most animating must 

 have been the sport, as the grand Falcon described his 

 aerial evolutions in capturing his swift-winged prey. 



THE CHIPPING SPARROW. 



About the 5th of April the first Chipping Sparrows (Spi- 

 zetla socialis) appear. They do not become very common, 

 however, until about a week later. Of all our native Spar- 

 rows, this one shows the greatest confidence in man, pre- 

 ferring to rear its young in his immediate vicinity, picking 

 up the crumbs about the door of his habitation, and there- 

 fore very properly called the Social Sparrow. About 5.50 

 long, and having the common markings of the Spar- 



