( 2^9 ) 



THE FIELD SPARROW. 



Fringilla pusilla, Wils. 



PLATE CXXXIX. Adult. 



This diminutive and elegant species of Finch may certainly be ranked 

 among our constant residents, numerous individuals remaining during 

 the winter within the limits of the Union. In Louisiana and the coun- 

 tries along the Mississippi, as far as Kentucky, and in all the Southern 

 States, as far as Maryland, they are to be found in the coldest weather. 

 In South Carolina they are met with along every hedge-row and in every 

 briar-patch, as well as in the old fields slightly covered with tall slender 

 grasses, on the seeds of which they chiefly subsist during the inclement 

 season. Loose flocks, sometimes of forty or fifty, are seen hopping along 

 the sandy roads, picking up particles of gravel. On the least alarm, they 

 all take to wing, and ahght on the nearest bushes, but the next moment 

 return to the ground. They leave the south as early as March, move 

 northwards as the season advances, and appear in the States of New York 

 and Pennsylvania, about the middle of April. 



The song of the Field Sparrow is remarkable, although not fine. It 

 trills its notes like a young Canary Bird, and now and then emits empha- 

 tical, though not very distinct sounds of some length. One accustomed 

 to distinguish the notes of different birds can easily recognise the song of 

 this species; but the description of it, I confess, I am unable to accom- 

 phsh, so at least as to afford you any tolerable idea of it. 



It is a social and peaceable bird. When the breeding season is at 

 hand they disperse, move off" in pairs, and throw themselves into old pas- 

 ture grounds, overgrown with low bushes, on the tops of which the males 

 may be heard practising their vocal powers. They usually breed on the 

 ground, at the foot of a small bush or rank-weed ; but I have also found 

 several of their nests on the lower branches of trees, a foot or two from 

 the ground. The nest is simple, formed chiefly of fine dry grasses, in 

 some instances scantily lined with horse-hair or delicate fibrous roots, 

 much resembling hair. The eggs are from four to six, of a light ferru- 

 ginous tint, produced by the blending of small dots of that colour. So 

 prolific is this species, that I have observed a pair raise three broods in 



