THE FINCHES AND SPARROWS. 



137 



cent, vegetable matter. Insects and the seeds of weeds and 

 grasses are eaten in a way very similar to that of the other 

 ground-loving sparrows. 



THE FIELD-SPARROW. 

 {After Biological Survey.) 



The sombre-colored Savanna-Sparrow, either in the typical 

 form or in that of the closely related species and subspecies, 

 is found throughout almost all of North America. It is a 

 ground-loving bird, and abounds in meadows and pastures 

 and along highways, as well as by the margins of brooks and 

 in stubble or corn-fields. It feeds upon the seeds of weeds 

 and grasses, and also upon such insects as beetles, moths, and 

 caterpillars, animal and vegetable matter being about equally 

 divided. It has a special liking for beetles. Its nest is 

 placed in a clump of grass and carefully concealed from view. 



The common Chipping-Sparrow, or Hair-Bird, is the most 

 familiar of the sparrows, living freely about houses and in 

 gardens. It is abundant and widely distributed, and an un- 

 assuming but extremely useful little bird, which probably 



