Part 33

SONG SPARROW

Melospiza melodia melodia. Case 2, Fig. 34; Case 4, Fig. 42

Streaked below, with a conspicuous spot in the center of the breast.

Range. Most of North America, the eastern form west to the Rockies, nesting from Virginia and Missouri to Canada and wintering from Illinois and Massachusetts to the Gulf.

Washington, common P.R., abundant T.V., Mch. and Oct. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, very abundant S.R., Mch. 10-Nov. 1; locally common W.V. N. Ohio, P.R., abundant in summer, common in winter; Glen Ellyn, common S.R. Feb. 12-Nov. 2. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 16-Nov. 11.

If the so-called 'English' Sparrow is the European Sparrow, the Song Sparrow is the American Sparrow. He is found in every State and from the Valley of Mexico to Alaska. He is abundant, musical, and familiar and probably better known than any other member of his family native to this country. His is one of the first birds' songs to be heard in the spring, and the last in the fall, and when in midsummer, the adults, while molting, are silent, the rambling, formless song of the young may be heard.

Usually the Song Sparrow is found near water and not far from bushes into which he flies when alarmed. Then we hear his characteristic call-note, an impatient chimp, chimp, unlike that of any other of our Sparrows. The nest is built on the ground and the 4-5 bluish white brown-marked eggs are laid late in April.

LINCOLN'S SPARROW

Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Case 7, Fig. 15

A broad band of buff across the streaked breast.

Range. Chiefly western United States; in the East, nests from northern New York and northern Minnesota into Canada; winters from Mississippi to Central America; rare east of the Alleghanies.

Washington, rare T.V., May 8-21; Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Ossining, rare T.V., Sept. 29-Oct. 16. Cambridge, not uncommon T.V., May 15-May 25; Sept. 14-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 25-May 25. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., fall records only, Sept. 11-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 17-; Sept. 10-Oct. 30.

We know the species only as a rare, retiring migrant, frequenting hedgerows, and undergrowth. I have never heard its song while migrating.

SWAMP SPARROW

Melospiza georgiana. Case 4, Fig. 44; Case 5, Fig. 22

Note the bright chestnut cap, grayish, unstreaked breast, and reddish brown rump of the summer plumage; in winter, the crown is darker and streaked with black. L. 5-1/4.

Range. Nests from New Jersey and Illinois to Canada; winters from Nebraska and New Jersey to the Gulf.

Washington, very common T.V., Apl. 12-May 19; Sept, 28-Oct. 29; a few winter. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 4-Dec. 2; a few winter. Cambridge, abundant S.R., Apl. 12-Nov. 10; a few winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Mch. 23-May 20. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 2-May 26; Sept. 2-Oct. 24; possibly S.R. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 5-Nov. 18.

The Swamp Sparrow is a Sparrow of the marshes whose tweet-tweet-tweet many times repeated, is associated with the music of Marsh Wrens. It nests on the ground in May, laying eggs not unlike those of the Song Sparrow.

FOX SPARROW

Passerella iliaca iliaca. Case 4, Fig. 37; Case 5, Fig. 7

A large, bright, reddish brown Sparrow, which, because of its red-brown tail, and in spite of its stout bill, is sometimes mistaken for the Hermit Thrush. L. 7-1/2.

Range. Nests in northern Canada; winters from Ohio and Maryland to the Gulf States.

Washington, very abundant T.V., Mch. 13-May 11; Oct. 23-Nov. 15: a few winter. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., Mch. 4-Apl. 20; Oct. 14-Nov. 28. Cambridge, abundant T.V., Mch. 15-Apl. 12; Oct. 20-Nov. 15; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Mch. 12-Apl. 23; Oct. 1-Nov. 16. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V., Mch. 11-Apl. 28; Sept. 22-Nov. 8. SE. Minn., common T.V., Mch. 12-; Sept. 17-Nov. 12.

A vigorous scratcher in the undergrowth who, using both feet at once, kicks the leaves out behind him; a master musician among our Sparrows whose loud, clear, joyous notes form one of our most notable bird songs. We hear it only for a brief time in spring and fall as the birds pass us on their migration.

TOWHEE

Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. Case 4, Figs. 32, 33; Case 6. Fig. 51

The female is brown where the male is black; both are unmistakable L. 8-1/4.