FIELD SPARROW. 
337 
slow, and going up and down, shrill and quick, with a reverbe- 
rating tone almost as rapid as the drumming of the Ruffed 
Grouse. At other times the sound appears like te de de de de 
d' d’ d' d' (F <r dr\ rapid and echoing; then weef weet lueed 
wat te V/ V/ 'd 'd 'd ’d, also weef weet weet tueef wf ivf wf 
wf trr ; the whole of these notes rising and running together 
into a short trill something like the song of the Canary, but 
less varied, and usually in -a querulous or somewhat plaintive 
tone, though towards the close of summer I have heard indi- 
viduals nearly as musical and warbling as the common Yellow 
Bird. These tones are also somewhat similar to the reverbera- 
tions of the Chipping Bird, but quite loud and sonorous, and 
without the changeless monotony of that species. In fact, our 
bird would be worthy a place in a cage as a songster of some 
merit. Like most of the Sparrows, the food of this species 
consists of seeds and insects ; and they also search the leaves 
and branches at times in quest of moths, of which they appear 
fond. 
The Field Sparrow is rather rare north of Massachusetts. It 
has not been taken in the Maritime Provinces, though Mr. NeiLson 
thinks it not uncommon near the city of Quebec, and it is common 
throughout Ontario and in Manitoba. 
Note. — A few examples of the Clay-coi.ored Sparrow 
{Spizella pallida) wander every year from their usual habitat on 
the Great Plains to Iowa and Illinois. 
VOL. I. 
22 
