The Song Sparrows 



Even in winter the brave- 

 hearted bird avails himself of the 

 slightest pretext — the passing of 

 clouds or a rise in temperature — to 

 mount a bush and rehearse his cheer- 

 ful lay. The song is not continuous, 

 but it is frequently repeated through 

 periods of several minutes, and is 

 followed by little intervals of placid 

 contemplation. 



But no matter how gentle a 

 bird's disposition may be, there is 

 ample use, alack! for the note of 

 warning and distrust. When, there- 

 fore, the Song Sparrow's nesting 

 haunts are invaded, the bird emits 

 a chip or chirp, still musical, indeed, 

 but very anxious. In winter, resi- 

 dent birds deny themselves even this 

 characteristic cry; and, except for 

 the occasional outbursts of full song, 

 they are limited to a high nasal tss, 

 which seems to serve the purpose of 

 a flocking, or recognition, call. Song 

 Sparrows are not really gregarious 

 birds ; nor are they even seen in close 

 proximity save in mating time, but 

 they like to assure themselves, never- 

 theless, that a dozen of their fellows 

 are within call against a time of need. 

 Song Sparrows are among the 

 very first to respond when the bird- 

 man "screeps" like a mishandled 

 nestling, in the depths of the swamp. 

 If he is well hidden, the reeds are soon astir with excited quest and still 

 more excited chirps of baffled inquiry. Even when the hoax has been 

 discovered, the incensed house-mother will scarcely forgive, but publishes 

 her discomposure to the swamp for an hour afterwards. 



Save in favored localities, such as the margins of a tule swamp, nests 

 of the California Song Sparrows are not obtrusively common. "Back 

 East," in a season of all around nesting, about one-fifth of the nests found 

 would be those of the Song Sparrow. Not so in the West, for where 



"THE FIRST TO RESPOND" 



342 



