Plate XXX. 



MELOSPIZA MELODIA-Song Sparrow. 



The Song Sparrow is a common resident; but is not so abundant in winter as in summer. Except 

 for its song, this species would scarcely be noticed by any but the naturalist. Its notes are fall of vigor 

 and I'oundness, and are especially conspicuous in late fall and early spring, and even at times during the 

 winter season, when most birds are silent. At such times the male perches upon the top branch of some 

 small tree, or upon the end of a fence-rail, and sings with a volume equal to his courting song. 



Early in April, often before any leaves appear, or before the grass has earnestly commenced to grow, 

 this Sparrow has selected a site and begun the construction of a nest. By such birds three broods are 

 reared. The usual number of broods reared by a single pair, however, is but two — the first nest being 

 constructed in May, the second in July. 



LOCALITY: , . 



Although the Song Sparrow nests in almost every locality, they are more partial to low, moist ground, 

 than to uplands. Land not so damp as to be swampy, but cultivated bottom-land near creeks and rivers, 

 which overflow during the rainy season, and leave drift piles scattered here and there among stunted 

 trees and bushes. It is in such places that I have always found the nests the most plentiful. Occasion- 

 allv nests are built about the border of thick upland-woods, and even several hundred yards in the in- 

 terior. Farther than this they rarely if ever enter, being born to love the open and cultivated fields. 



In towns the Song Sparrow is often a resident of the lawn and garden. 



POSITIOI^T : 



The nests are placed both upon the ground and in stunted trees, bushes, and drift piles. Perhaps 

 two-thirds of all the nests are upon the ground ; and Mdien this position is chosen, a slight depression is 

 selected in a grass-plot, often at the root of a weed or bush. .When a tree or bush is selected, the nest 

 rests upon a mass of horizontal twigs, or is placed in a perpendicular fork. When built in drift deposit, 

 it is usually near the ground in an opening or cavity, and rests upon old leaves, grass, straw, and other 

 debris left by the water. I have never seen the nest over three feet from the ground, but it is probable 

 that it is often higher. 



MATERIALS : 



The materials of construction are very similar, wherever the nest is situated. Nests built in trees 

 or bushes require a larger foundation than those built upon the ground; otherwise, they are alike. The 

 foundation usually consists of fine dried weed-stems, often with their roots attached, blades of grass, straws, 

 and sometimes pieces of dead leaves. The superstructure is composed of similar but better selected ma- 

 terial, and the lining is made of slender blades of grass, generally split, and hairs. Ordinarily these hairs 

 are from the tail of the horse or cow, are usually black, and so numerous as to cover up the first 



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