24 BIRD-LAND ECHOES. 



field-sparrow that tinkles a silver bell from the day 

 of its arrival to the very hour of its departure, and 

 more than once I have heard in midwinter an over- 

 staying bird ; and the grasshopper-finch that only 

 chirps like the tzit-tzit of a cricket, and far oftener 

 runs through the grass like a mouse than takes a 

 bold flight above the weeds and fences. In these 

 same fields there is yet another sparrow that, once 

 pointed out to you, you can never mistake. As it 

 flies the white feathers on the sides of the tail show 

 very plainly, and the chances are that, if you are walk- 

 ing in a lane or along some quiet country by-road, 

 the bird will run before you, keeping in one rut, and, 

 while very near, will always remain just out of reach, 

 sometimes for many minutes together. Then, at 

 times, it will change its tactics and flit along from 

 post to post of the old fence, until you wonder it 

 does not get tired and dive into the grass and hide. 

 It does this at times, and no sparrow knows the fields 

 better or rejoices in them more, as evidenced by the 

 sweet song that it utters when perched upon some 

 low bush or its favorite mullein-stalk. 



This sparrow has a long list of names, as bay- 

 winged bunting, grass-finch, rut-runner, and vesper- 

 sparrow. The last I like better than all others, not 

 because the bird is peculiarly associated with the 

 evening, for there are many species that have a 

 strong fancy for the gloaming. The vesper-sparrow 

 is lively enough at noontide ; but if you chance to 

 stroll, some summer evening, over the fields soon 

 after sundown, when birds generally are settling 



