246 



LAND BIRDS 



surpassed by few of that family. In the quiet woodlands 

 of his summer home, he sits on the topmost bough of the 

 dusky thicket and pours out his joy in a song of exquisite 

 melody, clear and pure as that of a thrush, yet lacking 

 the spiritual quality of the latter. The song has a won- 

 derful carrying power withal, that renders it peculiarly 

 attractive. 



But it is as a scratcher that he excels all his kind. 

 Among the dead leaves under a thicket, he may be 



heard rivalling a 

 towheein the vigor 

 with which he 

 T^ makes the dirt fly. 

 A few steps for- 

 ward, and a sud- 

 den kick out with 

 585 a. TowNSEND Sparrow. both feet, then a 



"The way he digs for his supper. " thorough searching 



of the ground laid bare, is the way he digs for his supper. 

 With the same energy that characterizes his scratching, 

 he wooes his chestnut mate by alternate scoldings and 

 songs, treating her with the lordly airs of a successful 

 suitor, and fairly compelling her to accept him. To his 

 credit be it said that he does his share of the nest build- 

 ing, such as it is, and though a tyrant, he is a brave 

 guardian of his brood. When, after twelve days of 

 patient brooding, the eggs are transformed into naked 

 nestlings, he is ready to scratch enthusiastically all day 

 for their sustenance. And this is really just what he is 

 compelled to do so long as they remain in the nest and 



