Evening star., 1947-07-14
This and That
BN Charles E. TraceDell
BETHESDA, nd.

BETHESDA, Md.
II hope you will write some more about the
song sparrow. have been watching this one
recently, and ind 1t to be one OF our most
interesting native species.
Until I took to gardening at high speed
I did not fully appreciate this bird.
Between fts Of gardening, perch IN
big chair we have in the yard, and this gave
me time to really see things.
"It was the first time really watched this
bird. I soon discovered, what you knew .
long time ago. that this is one OF the best.
ITS calm behavior, its friendhness, its habits
were soon my favorite sport, mean watching
them in between times at gardening
There always was q song sparrow or two
at hand, and so never lacked for entertain
ment. found that was spending more time
watching these birds than gardening. which
was lust as well, since it was very hot.
"Please tell us about this bird SO that my
understanding may equal my appreciation.
Sincerely yours. H. J. l..
The song sparrow is one Of the permanent
residents of this vicinity.
1t is slightly smaller than the common
sparrow, and has more streaks on 1t.
TWO irregular splotches mark the breast,
which is a pleasing gray.
The sides and back and head are well
streaked, giving the little fellow real distinc-
ton. :.
Even the careless observer will wonder II
this is an English sparrow
After he has watched it little while, ne
will be sure that it is not, and is likely TO
want to know what 1t Is.
The danger to the bird comes when 1t
mixes in with common sparrows and is mis-
taken for one by one of these odd persons Who'
claiming loudly to be bird lover" neverthe-
less fumes and frets over the presence OF
English sparrOWS in his yard.
Unable to accept what Is, he wants to change
things nearer to his hearts desire. Unfortu-
nately too often this means the killing OF
something.
AS result, many native sparrows have
been killed, under the Misrepresentation that
they were "just common sparrows."
Nineteen species of sparrows come to the
Washington vicinity.
OF these, usually not more than three are
known to an average bird lover These are
the common sparrow, the song sparrow and
the white-throated> sparrow.
The plain fact that all sparrows mingle at
feeding stations ought to put . good mark
beside the English sparrow in everybody's
book.
If bird is judged by the company he
keeps, the English sparrows rank high, Tor
they mingle freely with cardinals, juncos
purple f1nches, etc.
The song sparrow often places his nest in
barberry bush, as likely as not one situated
close to a sidewalk.
The stickers keep undesirable explorers away
The eggs are pale green, spotted with dark
brown and lavender. Some of them may be
heavily blotched, while others are almost plain
Four or five eggs are laid, and there may
be two broodS.
At one time regarded as less friendly than
the chipping sparrow, the song sparrow IN
recent years, with the expansion of suburban
communities, has become very tame.
It will hop to within a few feet OF watcher
in a lawn chair and prettily bathe and sing
in sunken pool at his feet.
Owing to this friendliness, it has been
fayorite subject for investigation, and several
books and many monographs have been written
upon it.
He is very much at home in our suburban
sections. He lives with us the year around.
and nothing cheers up the winter scene more
than this mite singing from fence post or
shrub
The song consists, in its usual form, Of
two long notes, followed by another, four or
fve tones higher, after which comes
descending run.
This is one of mans best friends, too, in
that his food consists entirely OF inimical weed
seeds and insects, in the proportion OF about
three to one.
It is an odd fact that the Western song
sparrow viii not eat caterpillars, but that the
Eastern form wiz.