70 THE TREE SPARROW. 



to a dozen flocks of them, varying in numbers from a dozen to three or four 

 hundred each. In the nature of the case their food is found near the ground, 

 consisting as it does of weed-seed and dried berries; and so, for the season, 

 the name Tree Sparrow seems inconsistent. When persistently annoyed, 

 however, the flock will rise to the tree-tops in straggling fashion, and either 

 await the disappearance of the enemy or make off through the trees at a good 

 height. The warm days of early spring, too, bring out their true character. 

 Some of the males mount the trees at various heights to tune up for the spring 

 concert season, while the more frivolous play at tag among the branches, 

 dashing about with a recklessness which causes one to open his eyes in aston- 

 ishment, if he has known the birds before only as babbling and slow-flitting 

 seed-gatherers. 



The song of the Tree Sparrow is unusually sweet and tuneful, affording 

 a pleasing contrast to the monotonous ditty of the Chipping Sparrow. Snatches 

 of song may be heard, indeed, on almost any mild day in winter, but the spring 

 awakening assures a more pretentious effort. A common form reminds one 

 somewhat of Towhee's Sunday-go-to-meeting best, but the notes are much 

 finer and of most flattering tenderness, Sivee-ho, siveet, sweet, sweet. There 

 is in it also just a touch of Goldfinch's rollick. 



By the middle of April all but a few stragglers of the "Winter Sparrow" 

 host have left for their homes in the distant north. Dr. Wheaton, however, 

 quotes Mr. M. C. Read as saying, "A few remain and spend the entire year 

 with us; have raised them from the nest." The statement is explicit and 

 comes from one of the trusted authorities of the early days. There is nothing 

 left for us but to whistle softly and exclaim, "How very unusual !" Certain 

 it is that Tree Sparrow has not repeated the indiscretion during the fifty years 

 or more since Mr. Read's time. 



