CHIPPING SPARROW. 



560. Spizella socialis. 



inches. 



Crown chestnut; forehead black; line through the 

 eye black. 



One of the commonest and most useful of our Spar- 

 rows, frequenting orchards, yards and bushy pastures. 

 They are not at all timid and frequently nest in vines, 

 covering porches or the side of the house, provided 

 that English Sparrows are not too plenty. They eat 

 great quantities of insects and worms, and some seeds, 

 feeding their young wholly upon the former. 



Song. A very rapidly chanted chip, chip, chip, chip 

 continued for several seconds; call, a sharp chip. 



Nest. A small cup-shaped structure of rootlets, 

 lined with horsehair; placed in bushes, trees or vines; 

 eggs three to five, bluish green, specked, chiefly around 

 the large end with blackish brown (.65x.50). 



Range. N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from the 

 Gulf of Mexico north to New Foundland and Hudson 

 Bay; winters in the Gulf States. A sub-species is 

 found west of the Rockies. 



