340 BIRDS 



spicuous in the fall. The birds are in full song during their 

 spring migration and their joyous notes are very sweet and 

 liquid. While a few of them stop in Newfoundland, most 

 of them summer in Labrador and beyond to Hudson Bay. 

 In spring the fox sparrow is found around thickets and 

 woodsides, often with j uncos; in fall it is usually seen along 

 hedges and in weedy grain fields near shrubbery, scratching 

 like a hen. Brush piles and thickets around swampy places 

 are other favorite haunts while passing through the United 

 States. They are very sociable birds and we regret their 

 preference for the more northerly latitudes, where little 

 opportunity has been afforded the bird-lover to effect a per- 

 sonal acquaintance during the mating and nesting season. 



The nests are placed on the ground, securely imbedded 

 in the moss found under the drooping branches of conifer- 

 ous trees. 



TOWHEE 



The Towhee, Chewink, or Ground Robin is one of our 

 common birds in the eastern United States, but many casual 

 observers are not acquainted with it. It breeds from the 

 Gulf into southern Canada, and winters from Virginia and 

 Kentucky southward. 



The head, throat, and upper parts, as well as spots on 

 wing and tail, of the males are jet black. White patches 

 occur also in the wing and tail feathers. On the sides of the 

 breast, and almost concealed when the wings are folded, is 

 a rich brown patch on either side. The females have the 

 black replaced with dull brown. The male is a handsome 

 bird with dark red eyes. 



