SPIZELLA MOXTICOLA, TREE SPARROW. 147 



and even the CaDadas ; for, iig we shall presently see, it is a hardy little 

 bird, capable of enduring extreme cold, and only forced southward by 

 scarcity of food. Its bi-eeding range is extensive ; on the Atlantic coast 

 it nests from Labrador to Maine. The general similarity of its distribu- 

 tion to that of the Snow-bird leads me to believe it will yet be found 

 passing the summer in the mountains of the Middle States. It occurs 

 through the greater portion of British America in summer, from At- 

 lantic to Pacific. It has been found in Kansas in August, and may 

 breed in that State. 



At Fort Randall I found these birds as abundant as I have ever seen 

 them anywhere, during pleasant weather in the month of October. All 

 the undergrowth of the river-bottom was full of them, in troops some- 

 times numbering hundreds, singing as gaily, it seemed to me, as in 

 spring-time. With the colder weather of the following month, so many 

 moved off that I thought none would remain to endure the rigor of 

 winter, but such proved to be not the case. The remainder simply 

 retreated to the deepest recesses of the shrubbery, where, protected 

 from the biting winds, if not from the cold, they passed the winter, and 

 to all appearances very comfortably. I account for their remaining at 

 this inclement season, by the prolusion ef seeds of various kinds that 

 are to be obtained during the whole winter; certainly, those that I shot 

 ■were in good condition, and generally had the crop well lilled. Their 

 seclusion and quietness at this season is remarkable, and causes them 

 to be in a great measure overlooked. On several occasions, when the 

 thermometer was far below zero, the ri\er frozen solid for two feet deep, 

 and snow on the ground, I have unexpectedly come upon little groups of 

 these birds, hiding away close to the ground among and under a net- 

 work of vines and rank herbage, close enough to collect and retain a 

 mantle of snow. When startled at such times they have a low, ijleasant 

 chirp as they flutter into sight among the bushes, scattering a little, but 

 only to collect again and seek their snug retreat as soon as left to them- 

 selves. Whether rendered careless by the cold, or (hrongh a natural 

 heedlessness, they are very tame at such times ; they sit unconcernedly 

 on the twigs, it may be but a few feet distant, chirping cheerfully, with 

 the plumage all loosened and puffy, making very pretty "roly-poly' 

 looking objects. There is a particular kind of plant here, the seeds of 

 wiliich endure all winter, furnishing a favorite repast. In a clunii) of 

 these tall weeds dozens of the birds may be seen together, busily feed- 

 ing. Some, more energetic, spring up and cling to the swaying pan- 

 icles, picking away, while others gather about the stem, getting a good 

 dinner, without trouble, oft' the seeds that their neighbors above rattle 

 down. At such times the whole company keep up an animated con- 

 versation, expressing their satisfaction, no doubt, in their ow n language; 

 it is more than chirping, and not quite singing — a low, soft, continuous 

 chanting, as pleasing as it is indescribable. The Tree Sparrow is, in- 

 deed, one of the sweet-voiced of our Sparrows, and one very fond of 

 singing, not only in the spring, but at other seasons; times are hard 

 with it indeed when it cannot, on occasion, tune its gentle pipe. 



According to Mr. Trippe, in Colorado the Tree Sparrow is "abundant 

 during winter in all the willow and alder thickets along the streams, 

 from the plains up to 7,000 feet, and occasionally up to 8,500. It arrives 

 in November and disappears in April." 



Accounts of the egg of this species are conflicting, and mostly errone- 

 ous. Mr. Hutchins said it was pale brown, marked with darker spots, a 

 statement copied by Xuttall and repeated even by Dr. Cooper. Audu)»ou 

 wrote it was uniform deep blue, just like a Chipping Sparrow's, but 

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