tfs'hs 
■o 
Fox 
Spj^pp_ws 
were scratching among the leaves within a yard or two of my 
window through which I watched them closely and for the first 
time satisfied myself as to exactly how this is done. The 
"bird invariably jumps forward from one to two inches and 
the moment it strikes the ground springs back to the spot 
from which it started. The feet sometimes strike side by 
side, sometimes one a little in advance of the other. At 
the backward spring, the bird kicks behind it the leaves, 
small twigs, etc. on which it has just alighted, thus ex¬ 
posing a small patch of bare earth within convenient reach 
and picking up whatever food has been exposed 
of its bill. After examining"this fox an instant,/^it turns 
slightly and rakes the leaves from another area, by another 
forward and backward spring. Where the fallen leaves form 
a thick mat, the bird often repeats its jumps over the same 
spot several times in quick succession. 
There were many Song Sparrows and a few Juncos with 
the Fox Sparrows at Ball's Hill. At the Buttricks* there 
were also Tree Sparrows in some numbers and here I heard 
the finest singing. The wild, ringing chant of the Tree 
Sparrow harmonizes perfectly with the rich voice of the 
Fox Sparrow and these two species invariably led the chorus, 
the Song Sparrows and Juncos following, the single trill 
of the Junco forming a monotone like a lower part. Twenty 
or thirty birds would often be singing at one time. Gradually 
one after another would cease until all were silent; then, 
after a brief interval, another wild burst of melody would 
begin. The Fox Sparrows sang fearlessly this morning in the 
tops of alders and apple trees. 
IH 
