CHAPTER XXIX 

 The Relations of Birds to Gardens and Fields 



The conditions in regard to the crops and insects of 

 gardens and cultivated fields vary in different regions. 

 Consequently, it seems best to indicate the relations of 

 birds to them by considering a few of the more widely 

 distributed species that live chiefly in such situations. 



Sparrows 



The little Chipping Sparrow is one of the most abun- 

 dant of the smaller birds found in gardens and fields near 

 houses. In the North it arrives early in spring and remains 

 till late in autumn. Its food consists of insects and the 

 seeds of grasses and weeds. Nearly half of the food often 

 consists of the seeds of such noxious plants as pigeon 

 grass and crab grass. Cutworms, cankerworms, bugs, 

 moths, ants, beetles, and grasshoppers are among the 

 insects eaten by both young and adults. In consequence 

 of such feeding habits, this familiar little bird is very use- 

 ful and should be encouraged in every way possible. 



On account of its attractive voice the Song Sparrow is 

 perhaps an even greater favorite than the Chipping Spar- 

 row. It is found everywhere in fields and gardens, keep- 

 ing close to the ground where insects and weed seeds are 

 abundant. It remains through the winter as far north as 

 Massachusetts. 



The other native ground-loving sparrows — such as the 

 Field Sparrow, the Savanna Sparrow, the Vesper Sparrow, 



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