324 NOTES ON THE 
trees, more especially in the north and eastern portions. The 
nests are found in trees, bushes and on the ground, formed 
exteriorly of dried grass and mud, and lined with down from 
woods and fine, soft hairs. Eggs, light greenish-blue, marked 
with blotches and spots of different shades of red and brown, 
resembling much those of the Song Sparrow. 
When I record as a permanent resident a species so well 
known as the Tree Sparrow, I take for granted that no one 
will infer it to be anywise abundant during our rigorous 
winters. During those seasons only small flocks are ordinarily 
seen, sometimes only two or three individuals until approaching 
spring, when these smaller bands are merged into larger ones, 
until by the latter part of March—the time the migration north- 
ward is begun—when they may be only surpassed in numbers 
by the Snowbirds. 
The earliest I have ever met them near this city was March 
8, and the latest individuals have rarely lingered until the last 
of April. Their times however of principal arrival and de- 
parture have averaged March 25th and April 25th. They 
return from their more northern breeding places about the 
25th. of September to the first of October, varying greatly 
with the thermal character of the seasons. The greater part 
of them leave us here about the 15th of November. I saw 
some December 25th, 1874, and Mr. John Roberts again saw 
small parties of them in January, 1876. Dr. Hvoslef’s notes 
at Lanesboro record them December 28th, February 23d, 
March 18th. Ihave a letter from him under date February 
3d, 1886, which says:—‘‘There are hundreds of them here.” 
I cannot, in speaking briefly of some of their habits, refrain 
from transcribing a few lines from the pen of Dr. Coues in 
‘‘Birds of the Northwest,” page 147. He says:—‘‘On several 
occasions, when the thermometer was far below zero, the river 
frozen solid for two feet in depth, and snow on the ground, I 
have unexpectedly come upon little groups of these birds 
hiding away close to the ground, amongst and under a net- 
work of vines and rank herbage, close enough to collect and 
retain a mantle of snow. When startled at such times they 
have a low, pleasant chirp as they flutter into sight among the 
brushes, scattering a little, but only to collect again and seek 
their snug retreat as soon as left to themselves. Whether 
rendered careless by the cold, or through a natural heedless- 
ness, they are very tame at such times. They sit unconcern- 
edly on the twigs, it may be but a few feet distant chirping 
