Dr. Elliott Coues, unrivalled by any other naturalist in describing the life of our 

 birds, writes as follows on the Fox-colored Sparrow: 



"During the winter they are dispersed over the Southern States, beyond which, 

 however, they do not appear to pass, as I have found no record. In March they again 

 become plentiful in the Middle States ; and, having already taken up their line of migra- 

 tion toward their homes in the North, their coming is with song of gladness and all 

 the busy stir of the opening season. They are not all off until April, and during the 

 sunny days that precede their departure, the males are fond of mounting the little 

 bushes, or even the trees, to warble a few exquisitely sweet notes, the overture of the 

 joyous music which, later in the year, enlivens the northern solitudes, whither the birds 

 resort to nest. So musical is the Fox Spart-ow, indeed, that even in autumn, when the 

 transient glow and fervor of the nuptial period has subsided and common place occu- 

 pations alone engage him, he forgets the dull season at times, and lisps fugitive strains 

 of sweet memories awakened by the warmth and glamour of the Indian summer. But 

 this is a mere fragment — the shadow of a song stealing across the mind, not the song 

 itself, which we only hear in perfection when the bird's life is quickened in the sunny, 

 showery April, and he leaves us with cheery 'good-bye,' promising to come again. 

 What one of our fringilline birds is so entirely pleasing as this, my favorite? Strong, 

 shapely, vivacious, yet gentle, silver-tongued ; clad most tastefully in the richest of warm 

 browns; and, that nothing may be wanting to single him out from among his humbler 

 relatives, a high-bred bird, exclusive, retiring. We do not find him mixing indiscrimin- 

 ately with the throng of Sparrows that accompany him in his journeyings and spend 

 the winter with him. With a few select associates of his own kind, perhaps only two 

 of three families that were reared together, he chooses his own retreat, and holds it 

 against intrusion. In some little glade, hedged about with almost impenetrable briers, 

 you will come upon him and his friends, nestling among the withered leaves on the 

 ground, gently calling to each other in the assurance of safety. On your unwelcome 

 appearance, they will hurriedly take flight together, throwing themselves into the 

 thickest shrubbery. You will find such company, again, in the ravines overgrown with 

 smilax and brambles that lead down to the brook; and as you pass along neglected 

 fences, fringed with tall, rank weeds, you may surprise the birds out for a morning's 

 ramble, and make them hurry back in alarm to the shelter of heavier undergrowth." 



Of all our Sparrows this species sings most diligently in confinement during spring 

 and early summer, and snatches of song can be heard even in winter. Its clear, loud, 

 and melodious voice is unequalled by its congeners; all its notes are rich, full, varied, 

 and prolonged. This song is only heard in the cage, when the bird is kept alone 

 and not in company with others. It becomes very tame and soon takes its food from 

 the hand if kindly treated., Like the Bobolink it becomes very fat in confinement if 

 allowed to eat to excess, but if care is taken in the selection of its food, it can be kept 

 in good health for years. I have kept quite a number of males in the cage and they 

 were all splendid songsters, always happy and beautiful and exceedingly tame. 

 NAMES: Fox Sparrow, Fox-colored Sparrow, Rufous Sparrow. — Fuchsfink (German). 



SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Fringilla iliaca Merr. (1786). PASSBRELLA ILIACA Swains. (1837). Fringilla 

 rufa, Wils. (1811). Fringilla ferruginea Wils. (1812). 



