326 BIRDS 



came. It enjoys the undergrowth and shrubs that are 

 found in ravines and along the banks of streams. An 

 interesting habit, that does not fail to make Harris's spar- 

 row a conspicuous object, is that of perching, when dis- 

 turbed, on some high branch of a shrub, in order that it 

 may obtain an uninterrupted view of its surroundings and 

 of the intruder. 



An observer who has studied the habits of the species 

 as it passes through the state of Iowa during its migrations 

 says: "This beautiful sparrow is one of the commonest 

 of the Fringillidee that pass through the state in spring and 

 fall, associating at such times with the other sparrows and 

 finches and frequenting similar haunts. Its notes in the fall 

 are a simple loud chirp, not distinguishable from that of 

 the white-throated sparrow, and occasionally a low sweet 

 warble," its music being chuckling and contented. Goss 

 describes its song as composed of "pleasing, plaintive, 

 whistling notes in musical tone like the white-throat, but 

 delivered in a widely different song." 



This sparrow is of large size and when dressed in its 

 summer plumage it is a strikingly beautiful bird. The 

 glossy black of its crown and throat are made prominent 

 by the " bright coat of the usual sparrow mixture of colors " 

 that covers the remainder of the body. 



But little is known of the breeding habits of this spar- 

 row. Its nests are built in the northern part of its range, 

 probably only in the interior of British America. Its nest 

 is made of bark and grass and located in small shrubs or 

 weed stalks. The eggs, which are of a whitish color, are 

 thickly spotted with brown. 



