96 CHIPPING SPARROW. 



species found as far south as Blue Spring, Florida, arc mostly young, but further north, 

 in the Carolinas, where these birds are exceedingly abundant, the adults predominate. 

 I have mentioned, on page 29 of this work, that the adults of many birds wandered more 

 than the immature, bt this species appears to reverse that rule. The adults remain be- 

 hind, in the colder climate, but the young push onward toward the warmer section of the 

 country. 



While in their winter quarters, the Chipping Sparrows have no characteristic habits, 

 other than those exhibited by many of the Fringilline birds; neither do they have any note, 

 save the ordinary chirp of alarm. Then, to recognize them, one must observe quite closely. 

 By the middle of April, when they arrive in Massachusetts, they forget the life of inactiv- 

 ity which they led in the enervating climate where they passed the winter, and display 

 much energy. At first the lively chipping song of the males is only to be heard at inter- 

 vals along the hedge-rows which form a favorite perch for the birds, but a few days later 

 every garden and lawn, throughout the State, will have its attendant fay in the form of a 

 Chipping Sparrow. 



They watch their domains very closely, seldom leaving the immediate vicinity of the 

 dwelling's. As a natural result, from associating so much with human beings, these lit- 

 tle Sparrows become exceedingly tame, being, in fact, half domesticated. They will hop 

 familiarly about the porch in search of crumbs and other bits of food, occasionally display- 

 ing enough confidence in their friends to even venture across the threshold of the open 

 door. 



About the middle of May the females can be seen gathering material for their prettily 

 constructed nests, which are often placed on some tree in close proximity ti> the house. 

 The eggs are deposited about June 1, the young making their appearance by the 15. At 

 this time the Chipping Sparrows are nearly insectivorous, feeding largely on such destruc- 

 tive insect larvae as the canker and currant worms. Although thus conferring a benefit 

 upon mankind, they are not always as useful, for they are accused, and I fear justly, of 

 killing honey-bees for food. I have frequently seen several of them thus employed at one 

 time. They would alight on the top of the hives or on some over-hanging limb, and dart 

 down at the returning or departing bees, like Flycatchers, then, having secured their prey, 

 would alight on the ground in order to beat it in pieces before swallowing it. I have ob- 

 served that the Chipping Sparrows assemble in the neighborhood of apiaries, in consid- 

 erable numbers. I have found twenty or more nests, in a single season, all built in an 

 orchard, near which stood several hives. 



In spite of the above-mentioned mischievous propensity, our lively little friends are 

 general favorites, usually finding a hearty welcome, and will amply reward the husband- 

 man, for the protection which he affords them, by destroying large quantities of exceed- 

 ingly noxious insects. 



By September, the young and adults flock to the cultivated fields in order to feed on 

 the newly-ripened seeds of weeds, which once more form their principal diet. They then 

 associate with large numbers of other birds, such as the Field and Savannah Sparrows. 

 Grass Finch, and many other members of this family, departing with them when they mi- 

 grate southward. 



