214 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



this season, sometimes lingering here until the second week of 

 May. 69 These spring-migrants associate somewhaj with other 

 birds, and are, moreover, rather more shy than those who have 

 been winter-visitors in the same neighborhood. I have occa- 

 sionally seen them in the " scrub," when they were quite wild 

 and quickly took to flight on a near approach. . 



(d). The ordinary note of the Tree Sparrows is a chip, which 

 is more or less characteristic, and yet resembles that of the 

 Chipping Sparrow. When they fight, these birds utter queru- 

 lous but still musical twitters, which recall their own song, 

 rather than any of the Chipper's notes. The following passage 

 is a quotation from Dr. Brewer's account of the Tree Spar- 

 rows, and describes their music as fully as it would be possible 

 for me to do : " * * * during November, the marshes of Fresh 

 Pond, 70 are filled with them, when their wailing autumnal 

 chant is in marked contrast with the sweet and lively song, 

 with which they enliven the spring, just before they are about 

 to depart for their summer homes." " In regard to their song, 

 Mr. William Brewster informs me that they usually commence 

 singing about the 25th of March. Their song is a loud, clear, 

 and powerful chant, starting with two high notes, then falling 

 rapidly and ending with a low, sweet warble. He has heard a 

 few singing with their full vigor in November and December, 

 but this is rare." u During the love-season, the Tree Sparrow 

 is quite a fine musician, its song resembling that of the Canary, 

 but finer, sweeter, and not so loud. In their migrations, Mr. 

 Audubon states, a flock of twenty or more will perch upon the 

 same tree, and join in a delightful chorus. Their flight is ele- 

 vated and graceful, and in waving undulations." Just before 

 their departure the Tree Sparrows, when in flocks and feeding 

 on the ground, often produce an agreeable chorus, though at 

 other times simply twitters. Occasionally in winter an indi- 

 vidual emits a few musical notes. 



From my acquaintance with the Tree Sparrows, I have almost 



89 They must not then be confused with the Chipping Sparrows. (A.) 

 70 At Cambridge. 



