FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



303 



661* SpixelUL pSillidai (Swainx.). Clay-colokkd Sparrow. Ail. — 

 With tt gctiural reMeinbluncc to iiiiiiiaturo iS". xot'lit/if), but less nit'ous al)ove, 

 whiter below, tlie line over tiic e}e white, and the runip pale grayisii brown 

 iii.steail of slaty lyrray. \V., ii-40; T., 2-35; B., •;}4. 



Range. — Interior of N(jrth Anieriea; breeds from northern Nebraska, cen- 

 tral Iowa, and northern Illinois nortliward ; winters from southern Texas 

 southward; accidental in North Carolina. 



At-«<, of gra-sses, lined with hairs, on the ground or iu buslies. Etjgs., three 

 to five, similar to those of S. soeialis. 



" This pale Spiirrow of the phiins is very similar in actions to the 

 Ciiipi)ing Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in habits" (Goss). 



Brewer's Sparrow (562. SpizeUa breweri), a western species, Inis been 

 recorded once from Massachusetts. 



663> Spizella pusilla ( M'ih.). Fiel[> Sparrow. Ad.— B'lW reddish 

 brown ; top of the head rufous, a gray line over the eye; nape sliglitly gray; 

 back like the crown, but finely streaked with black and narrowly edged with 

 brownish ashy ; rump brownish ashy ; middle and greater wing-coverts 

 tipped with white; under parts white, tinged witii ochraceous- butt' on the 

 breast and sides. Jin. — Similar, but the colors ilullcr, the crown edged with 

 grayish and sometimes a faint grayish line through its center. J ou/hj In Jird 

 plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., otJS; VV., 'JsV); T., 255; 

 B., -31!. 



liemarks. — This bird may be known by its brightly colored Ijack, bully 

 breast, and especially by its reddish bill. 



Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from soutliern Illinois and Soutli 

 Carolina to (Quebec and Manitoba; winters from Illinois and Virginia south- 

 ward. 



Washington, very common P. R. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 2 to Nov. 

 7. Cambridge, common S. K., Apl. 1") to Nov. 1. 



Kedy of rather coarse grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, etc., lined with fine 

 grasses and long hairs, on the ground or in low bushes. /;;/f/.v, three to five, 

 white or l)luish while, witli numerous rufous markings, chielty about the 

 larger end, -70 x -WL 



Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, and espe- 

 cially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field-marks of this misjiainod 

 Sparrow. lie is not a true Field Sparrow, but prefers old pastures 

 dotted with clumps of bushes or young cedars. There is sonu'thing 

 winning in his appearance; lie seems such a gentle, innocent, dove- 

 lik>' little bird. His song is in keeping with his character, being an 

 unusually clear, plaintive whistle, sweeter to the lover of birds' songs 

 than the voice of the most gifted songstress. It is subject to much 

 variation. Not only do the same iiulividuals sing several dilTerent 

 songs, but two individuals in the same locality rarely sing alike. 

 There is also much variation in the songs of birds from difTerent 

 regions. For this reason it is quite impossible to give a description 



