240 BIRDS OF ALABAMA 



Montgomery, Autaugaville, Tuscaloosa, Greensboro, and 

 Abbeville. The last-named place marks approximately the 

 southern limit of the breeding range, and the species is rare so 

 far south. In winter it has been observed in considerable 

 numbers at Auburn, Cposada, Autaugaville, HoUins, Leighton, 

 Sand Mountain, Jackson, and York. A few were seen at Ash- 

 ford in November and a small flock at Orange Beach in Jan- 

 uary. Fresh eggs have been found at Leighton, April 22, May 

 9, June 4, and July 18 ; McCormack states that the nesting 

 season continues until late in August. 



General habits. — The field sparrow is well named, for it is a 

 typical inhabitant of old, worn-out fields and bushy pastures. 

 In winter it associates much with the chipping sparrow and 

 other ground feeding species. It is much more shy and re- 

 tiring than the chipping sparrow, and during the breeding 

 season is found in wilder parts of the farm. The nest is 

 placed on the ground or in low bushes; it is composed of 

 grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, etc., and is lined with fine 

 grasses and hair. The bird is a persistent and pleasing singer, 

 rendering its simple lay at all hours of the day, even in the 

 heat of midsummer. Its song is written by Langille : "free-o, 

 free-o, free-o, free-o, free, free, free, free, free, free; the first 

 four [notes] loud, well prolonged, and on a higher key, while 

 the remaining notes run rapidly to a lower pitch, growing 

 softer and weaker to the end, the last being barely perceptible 

 at a short distance."* 



Food habits. — The food habits of this species are similar to 

 those of the chipping sparrow, but since it forages more in 

 waste lands than in gardens it is of less economic importance. 

 Nearly half of its food consists of animal matter, including 

 various species of beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, leaf- 

 hoppers, ants, flies, wasps, and spiders. Most of the vegetable 

 food consists of the seed of grasses, as crabgrass, pigeon- 

 grass, broom sedge, etc. A small quantity of grain is eaten, 

 chiefly oats taken in summer on stubble. 



*LaneiIle, J. H., Our birds in their haunts, p. 3T9, 13S4. 



