NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



381 



markings are larger, and of a more reddish tint than in those of the former species. 

 A set of three containing the, smallest eggs exhibit the following sizes: .62x.48, .63x 

 .48, .63X.49; one of four with larger eggs, .69x.53, .64x.52, .67x.53, .64x.52. 



QylLj.563. FIELD SPARROW. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) Geog. Dist.— Eastern United 

 States and Southern Canada, west to the edge of the Great Plains. 



The Field Sparrow is an abundant species in Eastern United States where it 

 may be seen during the summer months frequenting the borders of upland woods, 

 fields and edges of thickets. It sings during the whole day, especially at mid-day 

 when most birds are silent, and a telegraph wire is a favorite perch while singing. 

 The nest is placed In bushes or upon the ground In a tussock or at the root of a 

 bush In a thicket, frequently in briers along roadsides or upon the ground in pastures, 

 but the birds nearly always (in Ohio at least) during the breeding season, confine 



A 



V 



563. Field Spakrow (Prom Beal). 



themselves to the outskirts of woods with thick undergrowth. The nest is composed 

 of grasses on a foundation of leaves; the lining is of hair. The eggs are commonly 

 four, sometimes three or five. The predominating ground color of the eggs Is bufiCy- 

 whlte, or clay, while others bave a greenish- white ground; the markings are in the 

 form of specks and spots of various shades of brown, which are sometimies so dense 

 at the larger end as to almost wholly obscure the ground color. The eggs rarely 

 measure less than .61 or more than .73 in length, and in breadth .49 or more than .55; 

 the average is .68x.52. Two or three broods are reared in a season, the nesting time 

 being in May, June and July. 



