OUR SPARROW 53 



become acquainted with a number of Song Sparrows within a 

 Hmited area. And one of the most striking things about these 

 sparrows is the superiority of some as singers over others of the 

 same species. Another characteristic of this sparrow is its confiding 

 disposition. Often an observer may approach very near a singing 

 Song Sparrow without disturbing it in the least. Frequently 

 I have passed beneath them in low trees, and not intimidated them. 

 This confidence in man that is so remarkable a trait of the Song 

 Sparrow is also shown by the place it may select as the site for its 

 nest. Usually placed on the ground, but sometimes in a very 

 small tree or in large flower stalks, the nest is not seldom near a 

 path or in a garden where people pass frequently. And the nest 

 may be examined without undue anxiety on the part of the old 

 birds, which will do no more than utter their characteristic call- 

 note nearby. I am inclined to believe that this sparrow may have 

 three broods, for I found a nest which was occupied by the young 

 birds until August 23, 1918. There were three fledglings in the nest. 

 On the morning of the 24th, as I approached the vicinity of the 

 nest, I heard the call-notes of the young birds and the old, and I 

 at once concluded that the nest must be vacant. On examination 

 I found that it was empty. The nest was well constructed of 

 twigs as the outer part, which was lined within by grasses. A 

 heavy rain the day before did nothing more than wash out the 

 nest. 



VEvSper Sparrow. 

 Poocaetes gramineus. 



The Vesper Sparrow's date of migration in spring is about the 

 same as that of the Chipping Sparrow — late in March or early in 

 April. And it also resembles the latter species in not being abun- 

 dant until the end of April. The sweet, continuous strain of the 

 Vesper Sparrow has often been noted by writers on bird life; yet 

 as compared with the matchless melody of the Song Sparrow the 

 performance is inferior. Perhaps the plaintive quality of the song 

 is its most pleasing feature; sweetness, too, it has to a marked 

 degree. This bird is an inhabitant of the outlying fields and the 

 pastures, where from fence post or tree near the roadside its strains 

 are wafted on the breezes. In the evening several Vesper Sparrows 

 may be heard singing in different parts of a farm, and the effect 

 of the song at such a time is suggestive of the peacefulness of 



