400 
PASSERIFORMES 
Among the hosts of sparrows that congregate in the shrubbery in the 
autumn or return early in spring, is the Tree Sparrow. In the southern 
parts of the Dominion it sometimes remains all winter, but is a migrant 
elsewhere. It is a natty little bird and its modest song in the early spring 
is most welcome after the long, silent winter. 
Economic Status. The Tree Sparrow is valuable for its destruction of 
weed seeds and seems to have no bad habits. 
560. Chipping Sparrow, chippie, hair-bird, le pinson familier. Spizella 
passerina. L, 5-37. Plate LXXXIII B. A small sparrow with unspotted breast; a 
red-brown cap; grey face; white superciliary line, and narrow dark bar through eye. 
Juveniles have a tinely streaked white breast and are without the solid red cap or char- 
acteristic facial marks; are much streaked above and below in clay-like colours, and are 
sometimes difficult to separate from Clay-coloured Sparrows. 
Distinctions. A familiar little sparrow with red cap, a grey face, narrow black bar 
through eye, and white eyebrow streak. Separated from the Swamp and Tree Sparrows, 
which also have red caps, by its much smaller size. Juveniles closely resemble Clay- 
coloured Sparrows, but the streakings of the breast are more pronounced and numerous, 
and the breast is not suffused with light buffy. Very juvenile specimens are difficult to 
separate from that species, and from Brewer’s Sparrow, although adults are quite distinct. 
Field Marks. Small size. For adults: red cap, grey face with narrow, black eye-bar 
and white eyebrow-line, and spotless light greyish breast. Its song, a long drawn out 
series of unaccented cheeps, forming a sustained trill, is very characteristic. On the 
prairies, where the Clay-coloured Sparrow occurs, juveniles may be difficult to separate 
from that species. 
Nesting. In trees or bushes, in nest of grasses, rootlets, and fibres, plentifully inter- 
mixed with long hairs. The amount of horsehair used in the nest is the origin of one of 
this bird’s popular names. 
Distribution. North America, north throughout the northern spruce woods to Great 
Bear Lake and central Yukon. In Canada, breeding wherever found. Scarce on the 
open prairies. 
SUBSPECIES. The Chipping Sparrow of the east is the Eastern Chipping Sparrow 
(le Pinson familier de l’Est) Spizella passerina passerina. West of the Great Lakes the 
birds are generally referred to the Western Chipping Sparrow (le Pinson familier ^e 
1’ Quest) Spizella passerina arizonae distinguished from the eastern form by slightly largex 
average size and paler coloration. The distinction, however, is too fine for general recog- 
nition and requires a series of specimens for its demonstration. 
The Chipping Sparrow, except in the open prairie regions, is rarely 
absent from the vicinity of surburban or village homes, coming close to 
houses and frequenting the orchard and shade-trees, the front yard, and 
even the doorstep. It does not fear man, but, though not avoiding him, 
often it escapes notice through its quiet and unobtrusive habits. 
Economic Status. The Chipping Sparrow is a greater insect eater 
than most of the family. In fact, through June, 93 per cent of its food is 
composed of insects, only 1 per cent of which are beneficial species, such as 
predacious beetles and parasitic wasps. The average for the year is 38 
per cent of insects, and for the months spent by the bird in Canada the 
average must be considerably higher. The vegetable matter consumed 
consists of small weed seeds in which those of crab-grass, lamb's quarters, 
and ragweed predominate. A bird having these desirable qualities and 
coming into the immediate vicinity of the garden is most useful and one 
to be encouraged in every manner possible. 
561. Clay-coloured Sparrow, le pinson pale. Spizella pallida. L, 5-20. Plate 
LXXXIV A. A small sparrow with upperparts streaked in light buff and dark brown to 
crown, where a whitish median stripe is indicated or suggested. A faint collar of slaty 
suffusion about back of neck. White below, slightly buffy on flanks. 
