244 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLIHA 



in Cherokee County. Collett reports finding it at the same place on March 9, 1902. 

 Atkinson, in a list of the birds of Chapel Hill published in the Raleigh News and 

 Observer about 1887, includes it as a probable winter visitor. (Pearson, Jour. Eli. 

 Mitch. Sci. Soc., Vol. XVI, part 1.) Bruner found this species common at Stuart, 

 Va., only six miles north of the Stokes County, N. C., line on Oct. 18, 1913. 



237. Spizella passerina passerina (Bechst.). CHIPPING SPARROW. 



Description: Ads. Forehead black, a short grayish line in its middle; top of head rufous; 

 the nape generally with a few black streaks; a grayish line over the eye and a black line behind 

 it; back of the neck grayish, separating the rufous crown from the back; back streaked with 

 black, a little rufous, and more pale buffy ochraceous; rump slaty gray; wing-bars not conspicuous; 

 underparts grayish white, whiter on the throat and belly; bill entirely black. Ads. in winter and 

 Im. Similar, but no rufous crown-cap or black on the forehead; top of the head streaked like 

 the back; bill brownish. Nestlings have the breast streaked with black. L., 5.37; W., 2.74; 

 T., 2.29; B., .36. 



Remarks. In adults the rufous crown, black forehead, gray rump, and black bill are charac- 

 teristic; in winter the gray rump is a good distinguishing mark. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern North America, wintering mainly south of this State. 



Range in North Carolina. Summer visitor in the central and western sections, resident in 

 the east. 



Fia. 193. CHIPPING SPARROW. 



At Raleigh this species is one of our most abundant birds, arriving in March 

 and not leaving until October or November. C. S. Brimley took one at Raleigh on 

 December 29. In the mountains it arrives about the same time or a little later. 



It is partial to pine woods, as well as the neighborhood of dwellings. The nest 

 is built on the horizontal limb of a pine, oak, or other tree, seldom less than six 

 or seven feet, and often twenty or thirty feet, from the ground; the birds also build 

 in woodbines, climbing roses, and other convenient places in gardens or on lawns. 

 The nest is made of grass and fine weed stems, and is usually lined with horsehair. 

 The eggs are generally four, of a bluish green ground-color, spotted near the larger 

 end with dark brown or black; and they are laid in May, June, or early July. To 

 many persons this bird is known as "Tree Sparrow" from the situation of its nest. 



On account of its numbers, and its seeking the neighborhood of human habita- 

 tions, the Chipping Sparrow is economically of importance, as it is one of the few 

 birds which will seek its insect-food in our gardens. Pearson once watched a Chip- 

 ping Sparrow capture thirty-six insects in five minutes. The bird also eats many 

 seeds of grasses and weeds. Its singing continues from the time it arrives till about 

 the middle of summer, after which time it is heard no more. 



