128 SONG SPARROW. 



there continue for some time singing their agreeable chant, after which 

 they dive again into the low bushes, or amongst the rank weeds which 

 grow wherever a stream is to be found. They feed on grass seeds, some 

 berries and insects, especially grasshoppers, and now and then pursue 

 flies on the wing. On the ground their motions are lively. They con- 

 tinue running about with great nimbleness and activity, and sometimes 

 cross shallow waters leg-deep. To the eastward, they often frequent 

 orchards and large gardens, but seldom approach houses. 



I have placed a pair of them on a twig of the Huckleberry Bush in 

 blossom. This species sometimes grows to the height of six or seven 

 feet, and produces a fine berry in great abundance. Huckleberries of 

 every sort are picked by women and children, and sold in the eastern 

 markets in great profusion. They are used for tarts, but in my opinion 

 are better when eaten fresh. 



Fringilla melodia, Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 108. 

 Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia, Wilson, Americ. Oriiith. vol. ii. p. 125. 

 PI. xvi. fig. 4. 



Adult Male. Plate XXV. Fig. 1. 



Bill short, robust, conical, a little bulging, straight, acute ; upper 

 mandible broader, slightly declinate at the tip ; gap line a little declinate 

 at the base. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the frontal feathers. 

 Feet of moderate length ; tarsus longer than the middle toe ; toes free, 

 the lateral ones nearly equal ; claws compressed, arched, acute. 



Plumage rather compact above, soft and blended beneath. Wings 

 short, rounded, the third and fourth quills longest. Tail longish, even, 

 the feathers narrow and acute. 



Bill deep brown above, bluish beneath. Iris hazel. Feet and claws 

 pale brown. Upper part of the head reddish-brown, mottled with dark 

 brown, with a broad line of bluish-grey down the middle. Back grey, 

 streaked with reddish-brown and dusky. Lower back bluish-grey ; tail- 

 coverts tinged with light brown. Sides of the head bluish-grey ; a broad 

 line of brown from the eye backwards, and another from the commis- 

 sure of the mouth. Under parts white, tinged on the sides with grey, 

 and posteriorly with reddish-brown, the neck and breast spotted with 

 dark brown, and the lateral under tail-coverts streaked with the same. 

 VVino-s dark brown, the quills margined externally with reddish-brown. 



