SONG SPARROW 



95 



and gardens, sprinkling the roadside with music, 

 and blessing every hour of the day with good 

 cheer. It is common throughout the South in 

 winter, and enough Song Sparrows remain with 

 us throughout the 

 year for most of us 

 to know them nearly 

 as well by sound as 

 by sight — though 

 the March incident 

 just related was un- 

 usual. The song 

 accompanies the ro- 

 mance of mating and 

 nesting, as with most 

 species. 



The nest is some- 

 times hidden in the 

 grass and weeds, 

 where it is at least 

 safe from hawks, and" 

 again it may be set 

 up in the crotch of a 

 bush, as if the little builders had meadow mice 

 and clumsy-hoofed cattle in mind. It is cup- 

 shaped, made of grass and leaves and lined with 

 hair and fine fibres. From three to five grayish 

 white, speckled eggs are laid, and two and even 

 three broods may be raised in a season. 



SONG SPARROW 



Length 6% inches 



