196 AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 
ROBIN. 
Planesticus migratorius. 
The Robin is perhaps our most familiar song bird. Its habit 
of nesting in town as well as country brings the bird under the ~ 
observation of everybody. The song lasts throughout the nesting 
season—from the latter part of March until the first of August. 
SONG SPARROW. 
Melospiza cinerea melodia. 
This is our commonest song bird. From early spring until 
late in summer, its loud, clear notes may be heard. There is 
considerable variety in the song, a fact that often makes persons 
not well acquainted with birds take the same Song Sparrow for 
a different species. 
VESPER SPARROW. 
Z Proecetes gramineus. 
This sparrow is heard usually in fields where there are fences. 
Perched on a wire, the bird will sing its charming song and the 
breezes will bear it away to a distant wayfarer. Few bird notes 
are comparable with those of the Vesper Sparrow, whose habit 
of singing after sundown has won for it the pretty name it bears. 
OUR NON-MUSICAL BIRDS. 
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 
Sitta carolinensis. 
This species has the most elementary kind of note—the 
repeated utterance. The bird is, however, a good example of 
how a simple sound may be made pleasing by putting some 
expression into it. Sometimes the Nuthatch will increase the 
volume of its note so much as to remind the observer of the 
Flicker’s efforts. 
CHIPPING SPARROW. 
Spizella soctalis. 
This well-known species is our only sparrow without musical 
powers. However, its one note, which is uttered rapidly, is not 
unpleasant. By means of a mcre rounded utterance, the bird 
