Evening star., 1948-04-05
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trace,Deli

Fox sparrows came into this section in
February, and few remain, but will be gone
shortly.
From L. d. c. of Sandy Spring, Md, comes
the following tribute:
For the first time in our many years of
bird feeding, We have been favored by having
the fox sparrows since February.
Their brown and dark red backs with their
varied patterns are really quite beautiful, and
it has been q great pleasure to watch them
feed.
They have been accompanied by juncos Of
different sizes, and this morning there were
two cowbirds in the group, unmistakable with
Il do not welcome the cowbirds, as have
the other birds, but what can / do about it,"
From L. p B. of Arlington, Va:
so many interested readers of your column
mention the names of the different sparrows
that come to their feeders, and although am
comparatively new reader, no one has yet
had anything to say about the fox sparrow.
"One Sunday noticed new bird among
the sparrows, juncos starlings cardinals, etc.
feeding in pathway in the back yard where
we had scattered seed, suet, bread and raisins
to supplement the food of our three feeding
stations
His rich rusty brown coloring cleaned to
advantage in the bright sunshine.
He scratched in the manner of a chicken
and his actions in this respect were what
attracted my attention.
"A study of the bird book convinces me OF
his identity, and he stayed long enough for q
careful check as to color, size and heavily
streaked breast marking.
The next day he was back again. have
not, however seen him since, Is this section
the habitat Of the fox sparrow?
Il would surely appreciate knowing more
about him, as he struck me as being very
interesting as well as beautiful bird"
not nest here.
He merely visits us passing through.
We can be glad for that.
He breeds In Northern North America, in
Maine, Newfoundland, Quebec; in winter he
flies South to Florida and Texas.
The nest Is usually in the ground. 1t is
made OF moss and grass. with fine branches
and grasses and a few tiny feathers. s.
The eggs are or in number, hlue-green
speckled with chestnut
The fox sparrow is big one, for q sparrow.
He is . full 61s inches long, with tawny
coloring which makes him conspicuous in the
lesfy border.
Scratching with both feet at once, he makes
great commotion, and is thereby distin-
guished from most Of the birds.
Little song sparrows, though they hop back
ward and forward, and may be said to
scratch, too, never cause half the fuss in the
leaves
Fox sparrows visit us in small hocks, and
If they find the food to their liking, may
stay unusually late. But after all. they are
visitors here. Actually, they are Canadians.
Their song is q soft descending whistle, but
too often they fail to sing while with us.
While foxie eats some insects, including
millepedes, most of his food is vegetable, but
is not the same as the food of most sparrows,
which is composed OF grass seed, grain, etc
The fox sparrow eats fruit, ragwood and
polygonum, in the main. GPolygonum, smart
weeo, etc. II
there are eight other forms OF the fox SPAR
row, including the Shumagin Kodak and
Yakutat fox sparrows: the sooty fox sparrow,
on the West Coast. the slate-colored fox spar
row. Of the Rockies and the thick billed fox
snarrcw OF the Sierra Nevadas