FRIX(;iLLII).K — T'lK FIXniKS. 'j 



more cnre an<l neatness of intiM-woavinii. TIk^ i'ltixs are usually five in num- 

 ber, of an olili»n.!j:-oval shape. The ground is a whitish elay-color, niark< «l 

 more or less fully with Itlotches of a ferruu^inous-hrown. In some these 

 markinLjs are few, and arraii«![ed onlv about the lar*ier end. In others tliey 

 are generally diflused, and ini])art a deep ferruginous color to the whole egg, 

 and disguise or conceal the uround. They varv also in size, — in lenuth 

 from .70 to .03 of an inch, and in breadth from .52 to .50. Their usual size 

 is .70 by .52. 



Two nests of this bird taken in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. (Jeorge O. AVeleh, are 

 characteristic of their usual stvle in arcbitecture. One of these has a diam- 

 eter of four and a height of two and a lialf inches. Its base, as well as the 

 great mass of its periphery, is made of a very loose intt^twining of mi- 

 nute stems of vegetables and dry grasses. The ends of these project from the 

 exterior of the nest at the u])per rim, and present a very peculiar ai>i)earance, 

 as of an enclosure of palisades. The interior is lined witli lioi-sehair. The 

 other is made of similar materials, of a less rigid diameter Tind closer tex- 

 ture. Its rim presents the same peculiarities of projecting ends, arranged 

 like a fence above the nest itself. Its dimensions also are about the same. It 

 is, however, nmcli more compactly constructed, witli thicker walls and a less 

 open network of dry grasses, and stiF wiry stems of dried jdants intermixed 

 with a few pine leaves. The whole is veiy carefully and warndy lined 

 witli horsehair and the softer fur of small quadrupeds. These nests con- 

 tained, one three, and the other four eggs. 



Spizella socialis, 1>onap. 



CHIPPIHO SPARROW; CHIPPY. 



Frinriilln socialis, Wilson, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 127, pi. xvi, f. 5. — Auu. Om. Tiiop;. II, 

 1834, 21 ; V, 517, pi. civ. Spizclln socialis. Box. List, 1838. — Ib. Conspectus, 18.')0, 

 480. — Baiiu), Birds N. Am. 1858, 473. — Cuopeu & Suckiky, 203. — Samuels, 320. 

 Emberiza socialis. All). %n. 1839. — Ib. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, SO, pi. clxv. Spinitcs 

 socialis, Cabanis, Mus. Htin. 1851, 133. 



Sp. Char. Rump, back of neck, and .<;ides of neck and head, ashy. Interscapular 

 region with l)lack streaks, margined with pale rulbus. Crown continuous and uniform 

 chestnut. Forehead Mack, separated in the midtlle by white. A wliite streak over the 

 eye to nape, and a black one from the base of the bill through and behind the eye. Lores 

 dusky. Under parts unspotted whitish, tinged with ashy on the sides and across the 

 upper breast. Tail-feathers and primaries edged with paler, not white. Two narrow 

 white bands .icross the wing-coverts. Bill black. Length, 5.75; wing, nearly 3.00; tail, 

 2.50 (or less). 



Young, bnmature birds and trequ(»ntly the adult females with the rap streaked with 

 blackish lines, the chestnut nearly or sometimes quite wanting. Birds of the year streaked 

 beneath and on rump. 



The color of bill varies; sometimes entirely black throughout, sometimes very light (but 

 never reddish as in IS. papilla), with all intermediate stages. There is usually, however, a 



