The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-08-24
For the Jeffersonian Democrat.
Birds.
SPIZELLA SOCIALIS.-Bonoparze.
CHIPPING SPARROW.

CHIPPING SPARROW.
This familiar little bird has the crown
Of the head uniform chestnut color,
forehead black tr blsckisb, white line
over the eye, black one from the base
Of the bill through and behind the eye,
under parts unspotted whitish, upper
parts brownish ash and the back streaked
with narrow black streaks. 1t may easily
be distinguished from the Field Sparrow
by its black instead Of red bill, and from
the Free Sparrow by having no brown
spot 10 the breast.
1t usually makes Its appearance early
in April and soon after, having secured
a mate, seeks out an appropriate place for
a nest. This it delights TO have near the
residence of man. and will, usually, il un-
disturbed by the presence Of cats or dogs.
locate il in bush in some part Of the
garden, or on fruit tree near by. There
has been, this season, in my garden, con-
sisting of about an acre, more than q
dozen nests Of this little sparrow. and tie
result is, that no part Of it has suffered 10
the least. from the attacks OF that class oI
insects upon which it feeds.
Instinct leads it to FIX the site Of its nest
iu that very spot where the food peculiar
to itself and young. is most abundant
Here it begins its exterminating warfare,
6rsti the immediate vicinity o! the nest
then gradually enlarges the circle of its
labors from day to day, till the Young are
able 10 fly. The same instinct leads it te
FIX upon a new site outside of the circle
Of its-former depredations. and then nest
rather than occupy the old one seconc
time. This, like the first, will be fount
situated just where lis food is most abund
ant, and would soonest become injuriou
to our plants or trees. Here the sam,
warfare is practiced, and the same result,
follow. as q, the place Of its first nest.-
This order is repeated three or fonr time.
during the season Of its stay with u.s.
Yet this little sparrow, that wages such I
ceaseless warfare upon those insects that
unchecked, would soon destroy many o
the products Of our fruit trees and gardens
does no sort Of harm 10 any fruit o.
flower
The usual number Of eggs in nest i
four. These are small, OF a dull greenisl
blue color, having the larger end usual,
circled with an irregular ring OF smal
black spots. The period of incubation
occupies eight or nine days. After re
naming in the nest about ten days, tn
young leave it, to follow the parent bir,
in its search for food.
They are. however, fed BY the old birt
for few days, until they have acquire,
sufficient strength and learned the tact O
procuring it themselves. They are theI
taught this useful lesson, 'ihat he tha
will no: work, shall not eat," and sent of
to shift for themselves. While in the nest
the food Of the young Sparrow consist
mainly of those green worms that max,
such havoc among the leaves Of our tree
and plants. And it will be found tina
the presence Of spsrrow's nest in an
part Of the garden, is ample security 70
that part, against the rsvages Of this pest
This Sparrow may easily be rendere'
very tame. A pair that nested. thi
season, in a bush, few feet from m,
door, came daily 10 be fed, and did no
seem disturbed even at the presence o
strangers. Let the little birds be protecte,
and encouraged, and very soon the raw
ages of these troublesome insects will
cease, and then ii will be clearly seen tha
these birds are our real friends.
WELcHFIELD. Ohio. B. F. A.