THE SONG SPARROW. 



85 



the northward moving host spreads over the northern part of the state about 

 the middle of March in such numbers as to leave each bird well within cry 

 of a score of his fellows. 



Silver-tongue is a bird of the ground and contiguous levels. When hiding- 

 he does not seek the depths of the foliage in trees, but skulks among the dead 

 leaves on the ground, or threads his way through brush piles. If driven from 

 one covert the bird dashes to another with an odd jerking flight, working its 

 tail like a pump-handle, as tho to assist progress. Ordinarily the bird is not 

 fearful, altho retiring 

 in disposition. Occa- 

 sionally, however, one 

 sneaks so persistently 

 or flies so wildly as to 

 attract undesirable no- 

 tice, and unconsciously 

 to set a price upon his 

 own head. If Red-eyed 

 Vireos and Song Spar- 

 ro\A-s would remember 

 alz^'ays to look natural, 

 their sorrowing friends 

 would not need to be- 

 wail the day of impul- 

 sive collectors. 



The question of 

 food supply is least 

 troublesome to a bird 

 of this type. If an oft- 

 repeated adage is cor- 

 rect, the Sparrow's diet 

 must be reckoned very 

 spicy. Seeds of many 

 sorts, — but no large 

 proportion of grain, — 



beetles, bugs, slugs and worms form the bulk of its food. I have even seen 

 the bird catch minnows at the edge of a stream, while water insects of several 

 sorts contribute their share of uncjuestionable spice. 



In a season of all around nesting, about one-fifth of the nests found will 

 be those of the Song Sparrow. This is because the bird nests everywhere at 

 lower levels, and because it raises two or three, or sometimes four, broods in a 

 season. The period of incubation is twelve days, and the young are ready to 

 leave the nest in as many more. They do not require much care after they are 



Photo by 



J. B. Parker. 



GENTLE MINISTRATIONS. 



IT IS A WARM DAY AND TH« FEMALB SONG SPARROW IS BROODING HER YOUNG 



TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE BURNING SUN; WHILE THE MALE 



FROM TIME TO TIME BRINGS FOOD FOR MOTHER 



AND CHILDREN. 



