SPRING ARRIVAL OF THE BIRDS. 25 
dia, but are more plentiful in grassy fields and along 
country highways, where they are particularly musical 
on warm, cloudy days and just at dusk. The songs of 
the melodia and gramineus differ in continuity and 
time; in other respects their similarity makes it diffi- 
cult for many persons to distinguish the one from the 
other. The theme of the song sparrow is broken, and 
consists of from three to five bars or strains; that of 
the vesper is continuous, the notes beginning slowly, 
but rapidly accelerating in time until near the close, 
when the song diminishes in volume, the last notes 
becoming abnost inaudible. The vesper sparrows are 
classed among the ecstatic singers, as they pour out the 
notes in the same fervent manner as do the veeries and 
quavering, or field sparrows. They are gregarious and 
sociable even during’ the nesting season, several pairs 
generally living in the same immediate neighborhood. 
Attwilight their concerts are a delightful feature of coun- 
try life. One will sing his sweet, though somewhat 
plaintive song, then another will take up the strain, 
and perhaps another and another, until half a dozen or 
more will be engaged in this vesper service, making 
almost a continuous strain of melody. These sparrows, 
unlike most of the family, usually nest in open places, 
making a carefully constructed nest on the ground in a 
little excavation without any cover or shelter. Perhaps 
this is a cunning ruse to deceive the little animals that 
go about nights probing around every tussock and 
hillock in quest of eggs and young birds. We know 
this clever bird, when scared from the nest, will run 
