518 SUMMER RED-BIRD. 



weeks as most of the same genus, Fringilla melodia and F. graminea 

 having commenced incubation by the time when it makes its appear- 

 ance. It is one of the most confiding of our visitors, not unfrequently 

 forming its nest among the vines planted as ornaments to our piazzas. 

 In this part of the country there appears to exist a kind of tacit com- 

 pact between the Chipping Sparrow and the Field Sparrow, by which 

 all the cultivated ground is appropriated to the former, while the wild 

 retired fields and pastures are occupied by the latter, for the purpose 

 of breeding. I have never met with an instance where the two species 

 bred in the same field. The eggs of the Chipping Sparrow measure 

 six-eighths in length by five-eighths in breadth." Probably the reason 

 of the division of the tracts of land above mentioned is, that the Field 

 Sparrow being more shy or retiring, and reaching the same districts at 

 an earUer period, it has the opportunity of choosing such grounds as 

 suit it best, and is afterwards able to maintain its position. 



SUMMER RED-BIRD. 



Tan AGRA ESTIVA, Gmel. 



PLATE XLIV. Vol. I. p. 232. 



I FOUND this species in the Texas about the middle of April, when 

 it was arriving from the south. At this period many of the males were 

 in full plumage, while almost as many were imperfect ; but I observed 

 that before we left Galveston, about the middle of May, scarcely one 

 was met with in the latter state ; and, although a considerable number 

 reach even om- middle Atlantic districts, in a mottled and incomplete 

 livery, it is the opinion of my friend Dr Bachman, as well as my own, 

 that the males obtain all the beauty of their colours when about twelve 

 months old. This opinion is founded on the fact, that mottled birds 

 of this species are comparatively but rarely found in the act of breed- 

 ing. I now feel almost quite certain that too great an extent of time 

 has hitherto been supposed necessary for this bird to acquire its perfect 

 plumage ; and this is equally the case with several other species. My 



