SOXG SPARROW. 
253 
^'I'ives from tlie north ; and, from this circumstance, 
their general resemblance, has arisen the mistake. 
Tlic tree sparrow is six inches and a half long, and 
I t*# and a half in extent; the nhole upper part of the 
, ?d is of a bright reddish chestnut, sometimes slightly 
gifted with gray ; from the nostrils, over the eye, 
pses a white strip, fading into |)ale ash, as it extends 
; sides of the neck, chin, and breast, very pale 
the centre of the breast marked u ith an obscure 
^•'t of dark brown ; from the lower angle of the bill, 
KUceeds a slight streak of chestnut; sides, under the 
J''ngs, pale brown; back, handsomely streaked with 
Ne drab, bright bay, and black; lower part of the 
pK- and rump, brownish drab; lesser wing-coverts, 
“pk, edged with pale ash; wings, black, broadly 
*"ged with bright bay; the first and second row of 
'^Verts, tipt with pure white ; tail, black, forked, and 
^ieriorly edged with dull white; belly and vent, 
Vvnish n hite ; bill, black above, yellow below ; legs, 
• Wwnish clay colour; feet, black. The female is 
put half an inch shorter; the chestnut or bright bay 
o' the wings, back, and crown, is less brilliant ; and 
Avhite on the coverts narrower, and not so pure, 
'•'cse arc all the differences I can perceive. 
1<)9. TRIXCILLA MELOUIJ, WII.SON. SONG SPAHBOW. 
WILSON, PLATE XVI. FIG. IV. 
. So nearly do many species of our sparrows approximate 
I each other in plumage, and so imperfectly have they 
^eii taken notice of, that it is absolutely impossible to 
P’lWith certainty, whether the jiresent species has 
j.'et been described or not. And yet, of all our 
J?''fi‘ows, this is the most numerous, the most generally 
pused over the United States, and by far the carpst, 
|j"'®«test, and most lasting songster, it may be said to 
•v partially migratory, many passing to the south m 
p month of November ; and many of them still 
^^’aaining with us, in low, close, sheltered meadows pd 
^'ainps, during the n hole of winter. It is the first 
