> 



Sparrow, Chipping. Hair-Bird 



The ordinary note is a single chip; besides this there 

 is a long, monotonous trill, somewhat like a watchman's 

 rattle. 



M. A. WILLCOX. Common Land Birds of New England. 29 



His voice is no mean accompaniment to the general 

 chorus which may be heard on every still morning before 

 sunrise during May and June. His continued trilling 

 note is to this warbling band like the octave flute, as heard 

 in a grand chorus of artificial instruments. The voices 

 of numbers of his species, which are the first to be heard 

 and the last to become silent in the morning, serve to 

 fill up the pauses in this sylvan anthem like a running 

 accompaniment in certain musical compositions. 



FLAGG. A Year With the Birds. 25 



Without a song, save in its heart, from twig and fence 

 the live-long summer, it has done its best with its one 

 note its one talent to bring cheer into the world; and 

 justice demands that it be judged by its effort rather than 

 by its accomplishment. 



PARKHURST. The Birds' Calendar. 31 



SPARROW, FIELD 



Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, 

 and especially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field-marks 

 of this misnamed sparrow. He is not a true field sparrow, 

 but prefers old pastures dotted with clumps of bushes 

 or young cedars. There is something winning in his 



131 



