Sparrow, Vesper. Bay-Winged Bunting 



Sometimes when started from the nest, the female 

 simulates lameness with remarkable dexterity, so as very 

 readily to draw off the attention of her enemies or intruders. 



Nuttall's Ornithology. 26 



It is impossible to satisfactorily describe this song. It 

 resembles that of the song sparrow, but is finer and wilder. 

 It opens with one low note, followed by two higher ones, 

 while the song sparrow begins with three notes, all of 

 the same kind. 



CHAPMAN. Bird Life. 22 



On every side, near and remote, from out the short 

 grass which the herds are cropping, the strain rises. Two 

 or three long, silver notes of peace and rest, ending in some 

 subdued trills and quavers. . . . Such unambitious, 

 quiet, unconscious melody! It is one of the most charac- 

 teristic sounds hi Nature. The grass, the stones, the stubble, 

 the furrow, the quiet herds, and the warm twilight among 

 the hills are all subtilely expressed in this song. 



BURROUGHS. Wake Robin. 5 



How different from the ecstatic outburst of the song 

 sparrow! Pensive, but not sad, its long-drawn silvery 

 notes continue in quavers that float off unended like a 

 trail of mist. The song is suggestive of the thoughts 

 that must come at evening to some New England saint 

 of humble station after a well-spent, soul-uplifting day. 



NELTJE BLANCHAN. Bird Neighbors. 23 



141 



