78 FIELD BUNTING. 



the nearest bushes, but the next moment return to the ground. They leave 

 the south as early as March, move northwards as the season advances, and 

 appear in the States of New York and Pennsylvania about the middle of 

 April. 



The song of the Field Sparrow is remarkable, although not fine. It trills 

 its notes like a young Canary Bird, and now and then emits emphatical, 

 though not very distinct sounds of some length. One accustomed to dis- 

 tinguish the notes of different birds can easily recognise the song of this 

 species; but the description of it, I confess, I am unable to accomplish, so at 

 least as to afford you any tolerable idea of it. 



It is a social and peaceable bird. When the breeding season is at hand 

 they disperse, move off in pairs, and throw themselves into old pasture 

 grounds, overgrown with low bushes, on the tops of which the males may 

 be heard practising their vocal powers. They usually breed on the ground, 

 at the foot of a small bush or rank weed; but I have also found several of 

 their nests on the lower branches of trees, a foot or two from the ground. 

 The nest is simple, formed chiefly of fine dry grasses, in some instances 

 scantily lined with horse-hair or delicate fibrous roots, much resembling 

 hair. The eggs are from four to six, of a light ferruginous tint, produced 

 by the blending of small dots of that colour. So prolific is this species, that 

 I have observed a pair raise three broods in one summer, the amount of 

 individuals produced being fifteen. The young run after their parents, 

 leaving the nest before they can fly, and are left to shift for themselves ere 

 they are fully fledged; but as they find every where abundance of insects, 

 berries, and small seeds, they contrive to get on without help. 



These birds are fond of orchards, enter our country towns in autumn, 

 alight on the tallest trees in open woods, and migrate solely by day. Their 

 flight is rapid, even, and occasionally sustained; for, when fairly alarmed, 

 they move at once over fields of considerable extent. 



I saw few in Maine, and none in the British provinces, in Labrador or in 

 Newfoundland. 



The colour of the bill varies with the seasons, being in winter of a dingy 

 reddish-brown, and in summer assuming a tint approaching to orange. There 

 is no perceptible difference in the size or colour of the sexes. The young 

 acquire their full plumage the first autumn. 



Travelling from Great Egg Harbour towards Philadelphia, I found a nest 

 of this species placed at the foot of a bush growing in almost pure sand. 

 Near it were the plants which 3~ou see accompanying the figure. 



From Texas to Maryland, in Kentucky and the intermediate parts, during 

 winter. Breeds from Maryland to Maine. Abundant. 



