298 NOTES ON NEW ENGLAND BIRDS 



CHIPPING SPARROW; CHIP-BIRD 



May 1, 1852. 5 A. M. — A smart frost in the night, 

 the ploughed ground and platforms white with it. I hear 

 the little forked-tail chipping sparrow (Fringilla soci- 

 alist^ shaking out his rapid tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi-tchi, 

 a little jingle, from the oak behind the Depot. 



July 21, 1852. 4 A. M. — Robins sing as loud as in 

 spring, and the chip-bird breathes in the dawn. 



July 25, 1852. 4 A. M. — This early twitter or breath- 

 ing of chip-birds in the dawn sounds like something or- 

 ganic in the earth. This is a morning celebrated by birds. 

 Our bluebird sits on the peak of the house, and warbles 

 as in the spring, but as he does not now by day. 



March 22, 1853. As soon as those spring mornings 

 arrive in which the birds sing, I am sure to be an early 

 riser. I am waked by my genius. I wake to inaudible 

 melodies and am surprised to find myself expecting the 

 dawn in so serene and joyful and expectant a mood. I 

 have an appointment with spring. She comes to the 

 window to wake me, and I go forth an hour or two 

 earlier than usrfal. It is by especial favor that I am 

 waked, — not rudely but gently, as infants should be 

 waked. Though as yet the trill of the chip-bird is not 

 heard, — added, — like the sparkling bead which bursts 

 on bottled cider or ale. 



April 9, 1853. The chipping sparrow, with its ashy- 

 white breast and white streak over eye and undivided 

 chestnut crown, holds up its head and pours forth its 

 che che che che che che. 



^ [Now known as Spizella passerina.l 



