FINCHES. 213 



In summer they are to be found tliroughout a greater part 

 of northern North America, even so far to the southward as 

 the Gulf of Mexico (though in the West represented by several 

 varieties), being abundant and well known in almost all parts 

 of New England ; and, indeed, in a majority of places they 

 are, with the exception of the Chipping Sparrows, the most 

 common of all the Finches. It is impossible to define accu- 

 rately all their haunts, since these vary according to the 

 nature of the country, and somewhat according to the seasons ; 

 but their haunts, and moreover all those minor habits which 

 have not been fully detailed, may easily be learned by the 

 ornithological experience of one or two years. 



d. The song of the Song Sparrow is sweet, lively, and 

 poured out with an energy which doubles its charm. It has 

 several variations, which might excusably be attributed to 

 two or three species ; but the one most often heard is that 

 which they give utterance to in the spring. This is an 

 indescribable song, characteristic of itself. It usually begins 

 with a thrice repeated note, followed by the sprightly part of 

 the music, concluding with another note, which, like the first, 

 is often tripled.^ The Song Sparrows have also eccentric 

 music, peculiar to the mating-season ; and. in autumn they 

 often soliloquize. In the earlier part of spring they sing 

 most loudly, in summer they are much less often heard ; in 

 fall they sing unfrequently, and in winter seldom. Occa- 

 sionally they pour out their music, when dropping to the 

 ground from some perch above the fields, with wings out- 

 stretched. Their ordinary notes are a characteristic, sharp 

 chuch, or " hoarse cheep" as it variously sounds, and a chip, 

 less often heard, which resembles that of several other 

 Sparrows. 



The Song Sparrows, regarding man's so-called " interests," 

 are neutral, feeding principally upon seeds or small berries ; 

 but with those who know them are justly favorites, particu- 

 larly on account of their sprightly song, which, if we except 

 the Bluebirds' note, is the first to be heard in spring. 



"2 See account of the Ked-winged Blackbird's notes (§ 17, IV, A,d). 



