Species V. 
FRINGILLA MELOBIA. 
SONG SPARROW. 
[Plate XVI. Fig. 4.] 
Fasciated Finch ? Arct. Zool. p. 375, No. 252. 
So nearly do many species of our Sparrows approximate to each 
other in plumage, and so imperfectly have they been taken notice of, 
that it is absolutely impossible to say, with certainty, whether tbe 
present species has ever been described or not. And yet, of all our 
Sparrows, this is the most numerous, tbe most generally diffused over the 
United States, and by far the earliest, sweetest, and most lasting song- 
ster. It may be said to be partially migratory, many passing to the 
south in the month of November ; and many of them still remaining 
with us, in low close sheltered meadows and swamps, during the whole 
of winter. It is the first singing bird in spring, taking precedence even 
of tbe Pewee and Blue-bird. Its song continues occasionally during 
the whole summer and fall ; and is sometimes heard even in the depth 
of winter. Tbe notes, or chant, are short but very sweet, resembling 
the beginning of the Canary's song, and frequently repeated, generally 
from the branches of a bush or small tree, where it sits chanting for an 
hour together. It is fond of frequenting the borders of rivers, mea- 
dows, swamps, and such like watery places ; and if wounded, and un- 
able to fly, will readily take to the water, and swim with considerable 
rapidity. In the great cypress swamps of the Southern States in the 
depth of winter, I observed multitudes of these birds mixed with several 
other species ; for these places appear to be the grand winter rendez- 
vous of almost all our Sparrows. I have found this bird in every dis- 
trict of the United States from Canada to the southern boundaries of 
Georgia ; but Mr. Abbot informs me, that he knows of only one or two 
species that remain in that part of Georgia during the summer. 
The Song Sparrow builds in the ground, under a tuft of grass ; the 
nest is formed of fine dry grass, and lined with horse hair ; the eggs are 
four or five, thickly marked with spots of reddish brown on a white, 
sometimes bluish white ground ; if not interrupted, he raises three 
broods in the season. I have found his nest with young as early as 
the 26th of April, and as late as the 12th of August. What is singular, 
the same bird often fixes his nest in a cedar tree, five or six feet from 
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