228 



TREE SPARROW 



its breast is heavily streaked, while theirs are 

 plain. 



In the fall, when most of the other birds have 

 left northern New York, the Tree Sparrow ap- 

 pears in the woodland pastures ; and in Illinois it 

 is one of the commonest and most friendly winter 

 residents, as Mr. Ridgway says, coming " famil- 

 iarly about the door-yards 

 and gardens, gleaning 

 from the snow in company 

 with Snowbirds (Junzo 

 hyemalis) and other win- 

 ter residents. During the 

 warmer days of winter, 

 or even if the weather be 

 cold though clear, the rich 

 medley of soft jingling 

 notes uttered by a num- 

 ber of individuals of this 

 species is not excelled for 

 sweetness by any bird 

 notes." Mr. Bicknell 

 gives two of its call notes, 

 the customary chip and 

 " a low double note, which 

 is uttered mainly while 



the birds are feeding." He says that "this simple 

 and slightly musical sound from many birds busily 

 feeding together produces a low conversational 

 chirping, so pleasantly modulated as to seem an 



FIG. 142. 



Foxtail Grass, eaten by 

 Tree Sparrow. 



