LXV 



FIELD SPABKOW; BUSH SPABROW 

 563. Spisella pussila arenacea 



The Field Sparrow has no decided black or white 

 about its crown or head. It is of a general brownish- 

 ash, streaked with black. Its length is about six inches, 

 and it ranges from North Dakota to Texas. (Fig. 101.) 



These birds are often found nesting on old aban- 

 doned farms and on dry and hot hillsides. The question 

 of burning sun's rays does not trouble the Field Spar- 

 rows ; indeed, they appear to be better satisfied, and sing 

 most persistently their "swee-see-see-se-e-e," on the 

 hottest and dryest days. 



Chapman says : * ' His song is one of the most pleas- 

 ing I know. It is very simple, but very expressive, a 

 sweet, plaintive cher-wee, cher-wee, cher-wee, chees-dee- 

 e-e-e-e, which goes straight to the heart. It is sung most 

 freely after sunset and is in keeping with the peaceful- 

 ness of the evening hour. ' ' 



The nest of the Field Sparrow is a frail structure 

 of dead grass and weeds, frequently lined with horse's 

 hair and located in a small bush or clump of briers near 

 the ground. The eggs are usually four in number, whit- 

 ish, marked with reddish-brown. 



The picture in this collection was made on May six- 

 teenth, near Kansas City, Missouri. The birds returned 

 quickly to the nest, even when the camera was within two 

 feet of it and not in any way hidden. 



The Field Sparrow is a great destroyer of injurious 

 insects and noxious weed and grass seeds; it is thus of 

 great service to the horticulturist. 



181 



