294 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



movement allegro moderate. It resembles in part 

 the song of Spizella pusilla, but is neither so loud 

 nor sustained. 



At the time of writing, June 23, 1875, these birds 

 are as seemingly abundant as during the winter, 

 and manifest considerable activity .and vivacity. 

 Their long stay is certainly due to the lateness and 

 backwardness of the season. Their late departure 

 would seem to indicate that their breeding-quarters 

 cannot be far away. It is probable that these late 

 sojourners repair to the nearest mountains for 

 nidificating purposes. Indeed, we are led to this 

 opinion from the following consideration. The 

 appearance of a few mild days in April has been 

 signalized by their complete abandonment of ac- 

 customed haunts; but let those days be followed 

 by others of low temperature, and they are speed- 

 ily ushered into our presence, which could not 

 happen did they come from places very remote. 

 Were our mountains more thoroughly explored 

 by. persons interested in ornithological pursuits, 

 new facts would be brought to light of which we 

 now have no adequate conception. To unscien- 

 tific persons, the breeding of so common a species 

 as the one under consideration, would attract but 

 little notice. 



This species nests as far south as Virginia in 

 mountainous regions, thence to New York, the 

 northern portions of the New England States, 

 nidificating only in highlands, but coming down to 

 the plains gradually as we proceed in a northern 



