DOWISS ON THE LAND BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 133 



SoiSG Sparrow — (F. vrelodia?) — This is the most common 

 species we have. It breeds about clearings, making a nest on the 

 ground, in which it lays four blotched eggs. In habit it resembles 

 the wren, hopping about faggot heaps and jerking its tail up and 

 down : indeed I may say it supplies the place of the English wren 

 in Nova Scotia. A few stop all winter, and I have heard them 

 singing in February, in the Hon. Edward Kenny's garden in the 

 city. Some I have in confinement sing at night. Boys call it 

 " Spring Bird." Its note sounds like "chink, chink, ch'ol vo ree : 

 old Bill Pickett sha'nt have me." 



White-throated Sparrow — {F. Fainshjranica.) — Its wel- 

 come note to the fisherman on the lakes is first heard about the end 

 of April, It builds its nest in tufts of ground juniper in low spots, 

 and lays four eggs. I once heard the cry of this bird in distress 

 making a pitiful noise, and on arriving at the spot saw a red squir- 

 rel with a young sparrow in his mouth. I threw a stone at him 

 and he let go his prize, when I found that he had eaten its head off. 

 This squirrel will also rob the nests of the migratory thrush, taking 

 eggs and young. This bird from its note is called " Poor Kennedy's 

 Bii-d." 



Bay-winged Sparrow — (Emheriza graviincn.') — This is a very 

 rare species. Capt. Blakiston and I had great work trying to get a 

 specimen. 



Chipping Sparrow — (E.socialis.) — This bird appears to become 

 more common every year as the country becomes cleared. In the 

 United States it is very common, hopping about the roads in the 

 city parks' and other frequented places, almost under the feet of 

 passers by. It breeds in this Province in evergreen trees, a pair 

 or so at my place ; in the States it builds in the cedar ; it is only 

 of late years I have seen this bird about Halifax. 



Tree Sparrow — (E. Canadensis.) — This is one of the birds 

 which visit us only in. winter, when it may be seen on the snowy 

 roads picking at horse droppings. As spring advances it leaves us 

 for the far north, where removed from danger it builds its nest and 

 rears its young in security. 



Savannah Sparrow — (E. Sa.vannah.) — Not a common bird 

 here. It is evidently a ground species, as I have never observed it 

 in a tree. A few breed in the province every year. 

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