FIXCIIES, SPARROWS 



(530) Astragalinus psaltria 



psaltria (Say) (Gr.. a lutist). 



ARKANSAS GOLMNCH. No- 

 tice that the white on the tail feathers 

 is conlined to the basal portions o£ 

 the inner webs, the tips being black. 

 Ad. d' — As shown by the nearer bird; 

 back greenish-gray; crown more exten- 

 sively black than on the preceding spe- 

 cies; yellow below very bright. In 

 perfect plumage the back is wholly 

 black, but several years are required 

 to attain this plumage and it is rarely 

 seen. 9 and Iin. — As shown by the 

 bird in the rear, much duller colored 

 and with no black on the head. L., 

 4.50; W., 2.40; T., 2.00. Nest — Com- 

 pactly made of plant fibres; in forks 

 of bushes near or over water. 



Range — Northern Col. south to 

 central Tex. and through Me.xico. 



are musical and captivating — beady, ascending "sweets." 

 As they fiy, they go through the air with a characteristic 

 bounding, undulating flight, each downward wave being 

 punctuated by a musical "per-chic-o-ree. " 



They nest later than most birds, usually during August, 

 during which month they may often be seen hanging from 

 thistle-heads, sometimes robbing them of seeds and again 

 securing down with which to line the interior of their homes. 

 Their nests are made up exteriorly of gray plant fibres and 

 grasses, firmly woven and quilted together and tucked in 

 the fork of an alder or willow, usually near or over water. 

 While the female does the greater part of the nest building, 

 the male brings her some material, often takes his turn at 

 sitting on the five or si.x small, pale blue eggs, and does his 

 full share toward caring for the little birds. They are fed 

 wholly upon insects, and the adults also, at this season, 

 live chiefly upon the same fare. 



In order to attract these cheery creatures about their 

 houses, many people plant sunflowers in their gardens, 



29S 



