uge for the Field Sparrow, or else it finds lodgment along- over-grown fences and 

 in the ephemeral sprouts which line the road. The bird is rather shy and retir- 

 ing, neither seeking the haunts of men nor courting observation in its bushland 

 haunts. 



According to Dr. Howard Jones, "The nests seem to be about equally 

 divided between the ground and the bushes. When in the former position a 

 little depression is chosen and the structure is neatly fitted into it with the rim 

 about level with the surrounding earth. When in the latter position it is placed 

 in any arrangement of twigs that will support it ; it is not built about and cabled 

 to them as is the nest of the Summer Warbler, but it is simply loosely arranged 

 upon the stems or wedged in among them so that it will not topple over, and 

 nearly always it can be lifted out without tearing it in the least. It is seldom if 

 ever over five feet from the ground, and commonly is within two or three." 

 Occasionally a nest is taken from the growing grass, which is so complete in 

 itself and so little adjusted to its surroundings that it looks as if it might have 

 been dropped there by a careless hand. 



In construction the nest is simple, but loose or compact according to the 

 skill of the owner. The illustration shows one of the best quality, compactly built 

 and plentifully supplied with horse-hair lining. Another taken the same season 

 from a clump of ''suckers" seven feet high on the trunk of an apple tree, was 

 as flimsy as a Grosbeak's, a mere wisp of twisted grasses which held up four eggs 

 to easy inspection from below. 



The field sparrow is a small unobtrusive bird scarcely more than five inches 

 in length. It is grayish brown with some black above and grayish brown be- 

 neath. It is not conspicuous, and therefore may be easily overlooked. It prefers 

 the stubble fields and pastures. 



There are nearly forty species of sparrows more or less abundant and 

 easily confused by beginners in bird study. From one-eighth to one-fourth of 

 their food consists of insects. They are notably seed eaters devouring large 

 quantities of seeds with a hard covering. Considerable numbers of snout-beetles 

 and weevils and various larvae are destroyed by these little birds. Many ants 

 and wasps are eaten also, during the summer months. In the winter their food 

 consists almost exclusively of weed seeds which they consume at the rate of 

 about one-quarter of an ounce per day. Small as they are, they render invaluable 

 service to farmers. They nest in deserted fields in briars and weeds. Usually 

 there are from four to five white eggs marked with brown. 



The common name is misleading, and perhaps it would be more appropriate 

 to call this bird the Bush Sparrow, a name by which it is frequently known. 

 Instead of the field it seems to prefer the pasture, with its weeds and bushes. 

 It will also frequent the shrubby thickets that follow the removal of a forest. 

 This shy bird has a somewhat extensive range, which includes the eastern United 

 States and Southern Canada. It passes the winter months chiefly in those states 

 south of the Ohio river. 



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