54 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



country life. The bird nests on the ground, but conceals the loca- 

 tion so well that few observers ever find the site. This sparrow 

 has the habit of running ahead of a person who may approach it; 

 and when finally flashed, it always shows in flight the outer white 

 tail feathers. In flying, it goes swift and low, with a slightly un- 

 dulating movement. 



Field Sparrow. 



Spizella pusilla _ 



The Field Sparrow is an early arrival in spring, coming some 

 years in the last week in March. It begins to sing on the first 

 day of its appearance, or rather one will likely hear the bird before 

 seeing it. The Field Sparrow inhabits both fields and woods, 

 where its plaintive notes may be heard almost continuously. There 

 is less variety in the Field Sparrow's song than in the Vesper's 

 or Song Sparrow's, but the quality of the notes is hardly less inferior 

 to that of those famous songsters. The call-note of this species 

 resembles that of the Tree Sparrow. vSo much alike are these two 

 sparrows that beginners will for some time find it difficult to dis- 

 tinguish between them. The Field Sparrow departs for the south 

 about the same time as the Tree Sparrow arrives here from the north. 

 Autumn records of the Field Sparrow are rare after October 15. 

 The nest of this bird is placed on the ground, and can be discovered 

 by watching the old birds carry food to their young. When the 

 fledlings have left the nest, families of Field Sparrows may be 

 frequently found. I have noted partial abinoes in this species 

 more than in any other. 



Chipping Sparrow 



spizella socialis. 



The Chipping Sparrow usually arrives in the early part of Apil, 

 but I have found as many as ten days difference between dates 

 of arrival. At first the species is not abundant, being seen mostly 

 in pairs or singly. Rarely a small flock of Chipping Sparrows 

 may be seen in spring. The note of this sparrow may be heard as 

 soon as the bird comes. In quality the song is the least pleasing 

 of all the sparrows. But what it lacks in musical powers it more 

 than makes up for by its charming disposition. Perhaps there is no 

 other bird that is so sociable as the Chipping Sparrow. This 



