Open Nests on the Ground 



563. Field Sparrow : Spizella pusilla (Wils.) 



Adult — Upper parts light chestnut brown, finely streaked with 

 brown ; under parts light buflf shading into white on the 

 belly ; bill pinkish. Length — 5.68. 



"Young in first plumage have breast streaked with 

 black." (Chapman.) 



Breeding Range — From South Carolina to Canada. 



The nest, which is placed either on th'e ground or in low 

 bushes, is built of grass, fine roots, and occasionally leaves, with 

 the lining of hair or fine grass. 3 to 5 eggs are laid, varying con- 

 siderably in their colour and markings ; some eggs have the ground 

 colour, which is white or greenish white, nearly covered with 

 small reddish spots — rarely blotches — while others have scarcely 

 any spots. Size — .70 x .52. See Fig. 5, Plate B. 



These delightful little sparrows are easiCy recognised by the 

 distinctive reddish or coral-coloured bill and by the long light 

 chestnut tail. They lay their eggs about May ist near New York, 

 laying two or three sets during the season, wliich lasts with them 

 until late July. The nests may be found in the open fields, in 

 thickets, and sometimes in scrubby clearings ; they are, as a rule, 

 placed on the ground, or in a tussock of either green or dead 

 grass. In some places, however, they are most often to be found 

 in low bushes. While on the nests these birds are usually averse 

 to human visitors ; they glide off quietly through the grass, flying 

 up when at some distance to a bush or tall weed, where they give 

 utterance to their anxious little note of reproach. Their song, 

 though small in volume, is decidedly sweet in tone ; it may be 

 heard most often in the early hours of the morning, almost before 

 dawn, or late in the afternoon and evening. 



567. Snowbird ; Junco : Junco hyemalis (Linn.) 



Eggs greenish or bluish white with fine spots and some- 

 times blotches of reddish brown and lilac, chiefly in a wreath 

 round the larger end. 



See Page 61, Chapter II.* 

 48 



