32 



The Sparrows. 

 What a multitude of small, plain-colored birds the 

 term "graybird" embraces, as used by the average 

 white man in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. While 

 we find that the average Indian there is a closer ob- 

 server of birds than his white neighbor, we should not 

 be surprised at his confusion when asked to give distinctive 

 names to the different members of the Sparrow family. 

 The truth is, they are more familiar with the names of these 

 sparrows than with the appearance of the particular species 

 to which they refer. They clearly recognize differences in 

 songs, and they have names, based on these or other 

 peculiarities, that are generally well chosen. Yet at first 

 sight an Indian will call any sparrow Glaksis or Sulsulsili, 

 because, as he tells you, ''they all look alike." 



Savanna Sparrow. 



Ammodramus sandwicliensis savanna (Wils.). Sul-sul-sil'-i. 

 A likely imitation of the little meadow bird's song, but 

 it has more interest in connection with the Song Sparrow. 



Thistle Bird (American Goldfinch). 

 Spinus tristis (Linn.). Wi-zau'-i es'sls. 



Little-Yellow-Bird ; from wizaueyu, yellow. 

 Song Sparrow, 



Melospiza fasciata (Gniel. ), and all sparrows in general. 



(i) Sul-sul-sll'-i. Imitation. This is one of the 

 most constant singers. While to an unusual degree each 

 individual renders his song to suit himself, there is through- 

 out endless variety so strong a common resemblance that 

 the author can never be mistaken. One type of song is 

 strikingly suggested by the following string of jargon as 

 given by an Indian boy: " SiU-sul-s , l-i+ l , su'-gas-kat'-pe- 

 mo'-sum-sn — Sulsulsili, our flat-headed grandfather." 



(2) Ka-gas' -g' l-djes' -sis , a name given also to 

 Kiqkanies. 



