Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 



Within tlie United States these nests are rare, as the birds 

 breed chiefly further north. The season for nesting in northern 

 New York is from early in May to the middle of June. 



552. Lark Sparrow; Lark Finch: Chondestes 

 grammacus (Say) 



Eggs resembling those of the Baltimore oriole, whitish, with 

 spots and dark purplish scrawl-like markings. 



See Page 47, Chapter F. 



558. White-throated Sparrow: Zonotrichia albicollls 



(Gmel.) 



Eggs white or bluish white, with fine marks and heavy 

 blotches of different shades of brown. 



See Page 60, Chapter II. 



560. Chipping Sparrow: Spizella soclalis (Wils.) 



Adult — Upper parts streaked with black, rufous gray, and buff ; 



top of head rufous; under parts light gray. Length — 5.37. 

 The young are without the rufous crown, and with 



streaks on the breast in first plumage. 

 Breeding -ffa«^^— Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is composed chiefly of fine grass and fine roots, 

 with hairs for lining. It is shallow, and is placed in vine, bush, 

 or tree, at a height from the ground of from one to twenty-five 

 feet; there are very exceptional instances of the nest being on 

 the ground. 



3 to 5 eggs are laid ; they are rather light blue, tinged with 

 green, with few fine spots, and sometimes fine scrawls of light 

 and dark purplish brown at the larger end. Size — .70 x ,51. 

 See Fig. 8, Plate D. 



These common little sparrows are well known as being of a 



social disposition, breeding usually in the immediate vicinity of a 



dwelling, and often building their frail nest in the vines that grow 



against the house. When in captivity they lose to a great 



10 I4S 



