March 
gtant of the season—a flock of fox sparrows, 
having evidently arrived during the preceding 
_ hight. This is the largest and handsomest of all 
the sparrows, and distinctly different in plu- 
_ mage, which is a rich, rusty-red above, and white 
_ beneath streaked with reddish. Being about sev- 
~ en inches long, to the casual observer they are 
not unlike a diminutive wood thrush, although 
their figure is not that of a thrush. On the first 
day after arrival, perhaps being especially hun- 
gry, they were searching with unusual vigor for 
food among the dead leaves, and were less shy 
than usual at one’s approach. It is quite notice- 
able that in spring birds are much more ap- 
proachable than at any other time. 
The fox sparrow has a peculiar method of 
scratching the ground, not like a hen, with one 
foot at a time, but somehow with both at once, 
in alittlespasm. The same trait, in less degree, 
is observable in the white-throats and probably 
in other ground-birds. But however absorbed 
in its occupation, it is keenly alert at the ap- 
proach of danger, and flies at once to a neigh- 
boring tree or bush, as if to have full view of 
the situation. Not the least important of its 
prepossessing features is its conspicuous good- 
nature, a hail-fellow, well met, fraternizing at once 
89 
