Warren sheaf., 1905-08-24


the boundaries Of this country.
Although owing to climatic changes,
In different parts of North America it
has a variety Of forms (no less than 21) i,
known scientifically as sub-species, still,
to all intents and purposes, 1t is the same
bird from Maine to California. In the
northeastern states it is one of our com
monest songsters. and although the ma
jority of them migrate to more south
ern cline in the fall, number remain
with us all the winter; but these are, in
all probability the ones that have sum-
mered farther north At this time of the
year, however, our little sparrow is al
most entirely silent, seldom ever CIV
ing utterance to a ehirp, and keeping
close to covert, where he can be some
what protected from the cold winds. We
are conscious of his presence only by
catching fleeting glimpses of him as he
glides from thicket to thicket, or lodges
in and out Of some brush pile. In color
so closely matching the tone of the
brush itself as to make him difficult of
detection. He is arseed eater and can
always manage, even WREN the snow is
the deepest, to find enough seeds cIInging
to the dead stalks to keep him in food,
80 that there is little or no danger of his
starving; and although he is more OF q
summer than winter bird, he is hardy
little fellow, and Els soft, thick feathers
seem to be ample protection against even
the extremes of cold.
The color of his back. wings and tail
ischestnut, streakedin places with gray
and black; his under parts are white,
with splashes Of brown on Ills throat
and chest. Both male and female birds
are marked alike, although the markings
on the male are trifle stronger and the
general tone of color brighter His to-
tai length from tip,of bill to- tip Of tail is
about s1k inches.
Towards the end;af February those in
dividuals Of this species, that have spent
the winter in the south begin to return
and join the ranks Of those who re-
NAMED behind Than does their time
Of singing commences, to be continued
with hardly cessation-except for a
few weeks in August-untiI nearly the
middle of November; for theirs, Of all
the birds-songs, is the first to be heard
In the spring and the last in the fall The
song itself is characteristic, and once
heard can never be forgotten, although
short and of little variation. The first
three or four notes are uttered in low
key, but with increasing emphasis; then
with a sudden leap the singer ascends
totke key note, sustains it for couple
of counts, drops to a slightly lower key.
and suddenly stops, leaving in the mind
of the listener the impression that he has
failed to complete his performance The
best translation of the song into words
is given by one author as '.Press-press-
press, by-trrrr- -rian-ian.' April is for
the month of 1ove-making, and by May
/ at the latest the birds are mated and
must take up the serious cares of life. AS
matter of fact, however, the serious
ness of life never seems to strike them,
and the cares sit but lightly on their
shoulders. Especially is this true of the
male, for during the entire period OF
their home life he can always find the
Llu0 70 1Sav0 Ills UUI1cS 6L VcIy 1IC4UOul
intervals, to fit to the topmost branch
of some low bush, and there pour forth
his dainty little song as though from the
absolute JOY of living.
The home, rather compact structure
OF dead leaves, grasses, strips OF grape
vine bark, pieces of dead weed stalks
and twigs, rootlets and in fact almost
any like material, and lined with fnt
dead grasses and horsehairs, is usually
placed on the ground, hidden in tus
sock Of grass, under bursh pile, in 1
fence corner, underth edge of an over
hanging bush, or in any such a situation
that will afford it the proper conceal
ment. Sometimes, but not so frequently
1t is built in low cedar or other ever
green bush, and have even found i
nest placed in the side of haystack
Two, and sometimes even three
broods are raised in season, and /
Is not at all unusual to ind occupied
nasta as late 90 sentemher.