FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. FAMILY FRINGILLIDÆ
EVENING GROSBEAK
Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina
A large, thick-set, heavy-billed, black and yellow Finch. The male with the forehead and most of the body yellow, the crown, wings and tail black; the inner wing-quills white. The female is brownish gray, more or less tinged with yellow, the wings and tail black with white markings. L. 8.
Range. Western North America, wintering regularly eastward to Minnesota and irregularly to the North Atlantic States.
Glen Ellyn, one record, Dec. 11, 1889. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct. 17-May 19.
Evening Grosbeak.
Male and Female.
The Evening Grosbeak is a notable traveler from the far northwest whose rare, irregular, and unheralded visits and striking appearance make him always a welcome and distinguished guest. Of recent years these birds have come to the east with greater frequency, arriving in November and remaining as late as May. They feed largely on the buds and seeds of trees—maple and box-elder—and can often be attracted to our feeding-stations by the offer of sunflower seeds. They are usually associated in flocks of from six to eight to ten birds, and their notes when perching, have been described as resembling the jingle of small sleigh-bells, while their song is said to be a "wandering jerky warble."
PINE GROSBEAK
Pinicola enucleator leucura. [Case 2], Figs. 53, 54
Adult males are unmistakable; but young males and female might be confused with the female Evening Grosbeak, but they lack the conspicuous white markings in the wings and tail of that species. L. 9.
Range. Northern North America, wintering southward irregularly to Indiana and New Jersey; rarely as far as Kentucky and Washington.
Washington, casual in winter. Ossining, irregular W.V., Dec. 18-Apl. 12. Cambridge, irregular W.V., frequently common, sometimes abundant, Nov. 1-Mch. 25. N. Ohio, occasional W.V. Glen Ellyn, uncommon and irregular W.V., Oct. 25-? SE. Minn., uncommon W.V.
In the summer the Pines Grosbeak lives in coniferous forests, but on its irregular wanderings southward, like the Evening Grosbeak, it feeds upon the seeds of deciduous trees and bushes. The Grosbeak's call-note is a clear whistle of three or four notes which may be easily imitated; its song is said to be prolonged and melodious.
The Pine and Evening Grosbeaks would be notable figures in any gathering of birds, but coming at the most barren time of the year when our bird population is at the minimum and the trees are leafless, they are as welcome as they are conspicuous.
PURPLE FINCH
Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. [Case 2], Figs. 32, 33; [Case 4], Figs. 48, 49
The adult male is dull rose rather than purple, the female is sparrow-like in appearance but may be known by a whitish line over the eye and the company she keeps. Young males resemble their mother their first winter. L. 6¼.
Range. Eastern North America; nesting from northern Illinois and northern New Jersey northward to Canada; winters from the Middle States to the Gulf.
Washington, common W.V., Sept. 12-May 26, largely a migrant. Ossining, rare P.R., common T.V. Cambridge, P.R. common from Apl. to Oct.; irregular, but sometimes abundant in winter. N. Ohio, common W.V., Sept. 1-May 20. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V., Mch.-Apl., Sept.-Oct., uncommon W.V.
Erratic wanderers which travel on no fixed schedule but seem to feel at home wherever they find themselves. Except when nesting, they usually live in small flocks which, if the fare of our feeding-stands please them, will sometimes live with us for weeks. The call-note is creak-creak, the song a flowing, musical warble often uttered in detached fragments. Four to six bluish, spotted eggs are laid in May; the nest being generally built in a coniferous tree.
ENGLISH SPARROW; HOUSE SPARROW
Passer domesticus domesticus. [Case 2], Figs. 30, 31; [Case 4], Figs. 38, 39
Unfortunately too well known to require description. L. 6½.
Range. First introduced into this country at Brooklyn, N.Y., from Europe in 1851; now found everywhere at all times.
Hardy, pugnacious and adaptable, the Sparrow is a notable success in the bird world. We could overlook his objectionable traits if he possessed a pleasant voice, but his harsh, discordant notes and incessant chatter are unfortunately in harmony with his character. After all he gives a welcome touch of life to city streets and yards. Sparrows' nests are made of almost anything the birds can carry and built in any place that will hold them. The 4-7 finely speckled eggs are laid as early as March, and several broods are raised.
AMERICAN CROSSBILL
Loxia curvirostra minor. [Case 2] Figs. 49, 50
Crossbills have the mandibles crossed; the absence of wing-bars distinguishes this species from the usually less common White-winged Crossbill. L. 6¼.
Range. Nests from northern New England to Canada and southward in the Alleghanies to northern Georgia. Winters irregularly southward, rarely as far as Florida and Louisiana.
Washington, irregular W.V., sometimes abundant. Ossining, irregular; noted in almost every month. Cambridge, of common but irregular occurrence at all seasons. N. Ohio, irregular, often common, sometimes breeds. Glen Ellyn, uncommon and irregular, Oct. 20-June 11. SE. Minn., W.V., Oct. 25.
Crossbills and Grosbeaks are among winter's chief attractions. While the latter, as I have said above, will leave their summer homes in coniferous forests to feed in winter on the seeds of deciduous trees, the Crossbills are less adaptable. They are specialists in cone-dissecting. Their singularly shaped bills prevent them from eating many kinds of food available to other birds, but no other birds can compete with them in extracting the seeds from cones. Having had too limited an experience with man to have learned to fear him, they are so surprisingly tame that I have known birds to be plucked from trees as one would pick off the cones on which they were feeding. In March, while the ground is still snow-covered, they lay 3-4 pale greenish, spotted eggs in a well-formed nest, 15-30 feet up in a coniferous tree.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
Loxia leucoptera. [Case 2], Figs. 51, 52
Both sexes have white wing-bars and the male is of a paler, more rosy red than the male of the American Crossbill.
Range. Nests from northern New England to Canada; winters irregularly to southern Illinois and North Carolina.
Washington, casual. Ossining, rare T.V., Oct. 29-Dec. 6, Cambridge, irregular W.V. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, rare, fall records only, Nov. SE. Minn., W.V., latest record Mch. 4.
A rarer bird than the American Crossbill which, however, it resembles in habits. Both climb about the branches of cone-bearing trees like little Parrots, while feeding keep up a low conversational chatter, and take wing with a clicking note. They have been found nesting in Nova Scotia as early as February 6.
REDPOLL
Acanthis linaria linaria. [Case 2]. Figs. 47, 48
Any little sparrow-like bird with a red cap is a Redpoll. Adult males have the breast also red. L. 5½.
Range. Nests in Canada and Alaska; winters irregularly south ward to Ohio and Virginia.
Washington, very rare and irregular W.V. Ossining, regular W.V., Nov. 25-Mch. 26. Cambridge, irregular W.V., often very abundant, Oct. 25-Apl. 10. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, irregular W.V., Nov. 6-Mch. 7. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct. 31-Apl. 7.
A winter visitor from the far North whose coming never can be foretold. Years may pass without seeing them, then late some fall, they may appear in numbers. They are usually in flocks and feed upon seeds as well as birch and alder catkins. In notes and general habits the Redpoll resembles the Goldfinch.
Holbœll's Redpoll (A. holbœlli) is a slightly larger race, with a longer, more slender bill. It is a more northern form than the preceding, and rarely visits the United States. The Greater Redpoll (A. l. rostrata ) is also larger than the common Redpoll, but has a shorter, stouter bill. It nests in Greenland and is of casual occurrence in the northern United States. The Hoary Redpoll (A. hornemanni exilipes) is a whiter bird than the preceding with no streaks on the rump and comparatively few on the underparts. It nests within the Arctic Circle and rarely visits the northern United States in winter.
Satisfactory identification of these races of the Redpoll can be made only by expert examination of specimens. The field student, however, may call any Redpoll he sees the Common Redpoll with the chances of being right largely in his favor.
GOLDFINCH
Astragalinus tristis tristis. [Case 2]. Figs. 35, 36; [Case 4], Figs. 50, 51
While he wears his 'Goldfinch' costume, the male will be known at a glance, but in winter, when he takes the dull yellow-olive dress of his mate, several glances may be required to recognize him, and this remark, of course, applies to the female at all seasons. L. 5.
Range. North America; the eastern form nests from Arkansas and northern Georgia to Canada and winters from the Northern to the Gulf States.
Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, very common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., P.R., common in summer, uncommon in winter.
A beautiful, musical, cheerful bird, as sweet of disposition as he is of voice. To hear a merry troop of Goldfinches singing their spring chorus is to hear the very spirit of the season set to music. Their call-note is a questioning dearie, dearie, their flight-call per-chié-o-ree, per-chié-o-ree, as in long undulations they swing through the air. Their song is suggestive of a Canary's. They are late housekeepers, not nesting before the latter half of June, when 3-6 pale bluish white eggs are laid in a nest warmly lined with plant down.
PINE SISKIN
Spinus pinus pinus. [Case 2]. Fig. 55
A streaked, sparrow-like bird, with yellow markings in wings and tail which show in flight. L. 5.
Range. North America; nests from northern New England north to Canada and in the mountains, south to North Carolina; in winter southward to the Gulf States.
Washington, irregularly abundant W.V., Oct. 24-May 20. Ossining, irregular P.R. Cambridge, irregular W.V., Oct. 15-May 10; sometimes very abundant; one breeding record. N. Ohio, tolerably common W.V., Sept. 20-May 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular T.V., Apl. 8-May 24; Sept. 8-Nov. 29. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., and W.V. Oct. 20-Apl. 9.
The Siskin belongs in the group of winter visitants whose coming cannot be foretold. Some years it is rare or wanting, others abundant, a flock sometimes, containing several hundred birds. In general habits it resembles the Goldfinch, feeding on weed seeds and catkins, particularly of the alder, and on the seeds of conifers. The call-note is a high e-eep; its song like that of the Goldfinch but less musical.
SNOW BUNTING
Plectrophanes nivalis nivalis. [Case 2], Fig. 57
The prevailing tone of plumage is white, particularly when the bird is on the wing; the long, hind toe-nail should be noted. L. 6¾.
Range. Nests in Arctic regions, winters irregularly south to Kansas and Virginia.
Washington, W.V., casual, one instance. Ossining, irregular W.V., Oct. 25-Mch. 22. Cambridge, common W.V., Nov. 1-Mch. 15; abundant in migrations. N. Ohio, tolerably common W.V., Dec. 10-Mch. 15. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct. 9-Mch. 14.
Snow Buntings live in flocks and love open places, such as Horned Larks frequent, and are often found with them in fields or along the shore. Like the Horned Larks they are walkers, not hoppers, and like most walkers, it is exceptional for them to perch in trees. Hoffman described their notes as "a high, sweet, though slightly mournful tee, or tee-oo, a sweet rolling whistle, and a harsh bzz."
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus
A sparrow-like bird, with reddish brown wings, a black or blackish breast, white, streaked underparts and a brownish back. L. 6¼.
Range. Nests in Arctic regions, wintering southward, rarely and irregularly in the Atlantic States, to New York (casually South Carolina) and more commonly in the Mississippi Valley to Ohio and Texas.
Washington, W.V. one instance, Dec. Ossining. W.V., casual, Cambridge, one record. N. Ohio, tolerably common W.V., Nov. 15-Apl. 25. Glen Ellyn, common W.V., Oct. 16-May 16. SE. Minn., common W.V.
Lapland Longspur.
Adult male in summer. In winter the throat and breast are mixed black and white.
A rare visitor from the far North who, if we see it at all will probably be found in the company of Horned Larks or Snow Buntings. It is a browner bird than either of them, so while this is not a case of 'birds of a feather' it is a case of birds of a long hind toe-nail, since all three are distinguished by having a toe-nail actually longer than its toe. All three are walkers, which means also that they are ground-birds rather than tree-birds, and the tracks they leave in the snow, or on the beach, distinguish them from other birds if not from each other.
VESPER SPARROW
Poœcetes gramineus gramineus. [Case 4], Fig. 36; [Case 5], Fig. 16
Paler than any of our other field inhabiting Sparrows, except the Savannah, which is smaller; and differing from them all by having a reddish brown shoulder-patch and white outer tail-feathers. L. 6.
Range. Nests from North Carolina and Kentucky to Canada; winters from its southern nesting limits to the Gulf States.
Washington, P.R., very common T.V., less so in summer and winter. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 2-Nov. 4. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 5-Oct. 25. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 20-Nov. 7. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Mch. 21-Oct. 25. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Oct. 29.
A Sparrow of broad fields and plains whose song voices the spirit of open places. Neither words nor musical notation can describe it recognizably. It has somewhat the form of the Song Sparrow's song, just as the two birds resemble each other in form but are unlike in detail. One must, therefore, first learn to know the bird—an easy matter, since it is common and can be readily identified by its white outer tail-feathers—and thereafter you will be the richer for a knowledge of this rarely appealing bit of bird music.
The nest, as one might suppose, is built on the ground, and the 4-5 whitish spotted eggs are laid early in May.
IPSWICH SPARROW
Passerculus princeps
With a general resemblance to the Savannah Sparrow ([Case 5]. Fig. 23) but larger, L. 6¼, and decidedly paler.
Range. Nests on Sable Island off Nova Scotia; winters south, along the coast, regularly to New Jersey; rarely to Georgia.
Cambridge, casual, two instances, Oct.
Few migratory birds have a more restricted breeding range than the Ipswich Sparrow. Confined to a sandbar island during the summer where it is never out of sight or sound of the sea, it seeks similar haunts during the winter when it is rarely found far from the immediate vicinity of the ocean. In general habits and nesting, it resembles the Savannah Sparrow, of which indeed, it is doubtless an island representative.
SAVANNAH SPARROW
Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. [Case 4], Fig. 47; [Case 5], Fig. 23
In general color slightly paler than the Vesper Sparrow; smaller than that species; no white tail-feathers; a touch of yellow before the eye and on the bend of the wing. L. 5¾.
Range. Nests from Long Island and northern Iowa to Canada; winters from southern New Jersey and southern Indiana southward to Mexico.
Washington, abundant T.V., Mch. 20-May 11; Sept. 21-Oct. 23; a few winter. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 3-May 13; Aug. 28-Oct. 28. Cambridge, abundant T.V., Apl., Oct.; breeds sparingly. N. Ohio, not common T.V., Mch. 20-May 12. Glen Ellyn, fairly plentiful S.R., Apl. 8-Oct. 20. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 17-Oct. 23.
An abundant Sparrow known only to bird students. It prefers fields to door-yards; lives much on the ground, and its darting flight, followed by a sudden dive to cover, and insignificant song all combine to make it rather difficult of identification. It nests in May, laying 4-5 white, speckled eggs in a nest on the ground.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
Ammodramus savannarum australis. [Case 7], Fig. 16
A small, short-tailed Sparrow, without streaks on the underparts and a back pattern which suggests 'feather scales.' L. 5½.
Range. Eastern United States, nesting as far north as southern Minnesota, and southern New Hampshire; winters from southern Illinois and North Carolina to the tropics. The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (A. s. floridanus) a smaller, darker race, is resident in the Kissimmee prairies of south central Florida.
Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 17-Nov. 20. Ossining common S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 23. Cambridge, rare S.R., May 16-Sept. 1. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May 4-Sept. 13. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 6.
Grasshopper, he is called, because his unmusical little song, pit-túck, zee-e-e-e-e, sung from a low perch, resembles the sound produced by that insect. He is a common inhabitant of old fields, where sorrel and daisies grow, and when flushed at one's feet darts away to drop suddenly to the ground beyond. The 4-5, white, spotted eggs are laid in a ground nest in late May or early June.
HENSLOW'S SPARROW
Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi. [Case 7], Fig. 17
With the general proportions of the Grasshopper Sparrow, but the underparts distinctly streaked and the nape olive. L. 5.
Range. Nests from southern Missouri and Virginia to central Minnesota and New Hampshire; winters in the Southern States.
Washington, common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 21. Ossining, rare T.V., Oct. 5-Oct. 10. Cambridge, very rare S.R. N. Ohio, S.R., Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., May 8-Sept. 26. SE. Minn., common S.R.
Henslow's Sparrow lives in isolated and sometimes widely separated communities, frequenting wet meadows in summer, but visiting, also, dry fields in winter. It has the general habits of the Grasshopper Sparrow and its notes are equally unmusical. The 4-5 grayish white, thickly speckled eggs are laid in a ground nest the latter half of May.
LECONTE'S SPARROW
Passerherbulus lecontei. [Case 7], Fig. 18
The underparts are but slightly streaked, the crown is striped, and the nape reddish brown. L. 5.
Range. Nesting in the interior of North America from our border States, northward and east to Minnesota; migrates southward and south-eastward, and winters locally from South Carolina to Florida and Texas.
Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 4-?; Sept. 8-Oct. 6. SE. Minn, uncommon S.R., May 1-Oct. 17.
This is the third and rarest member of the trio of small, retiring Sparrows of which the Grasshopper Sparrow is the commonest. It is found east of the Mississippi only in the winter when it may be associated with the Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows.
SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Passerherbulus caudacutus. [Case 6], Fig. 47
A buffy Sparrow with the underparts sharply streaked with black. L. 5¾.
Range. Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast; nests from Virginia to Massachusetts; winters from New Jersey to Florida.
Cambridge, formerly common S.R., but occurs no longer.
An abundant inhabitant of salt marshes. There is, or was, a colony on the Hudson River immediately south of the long pier from which Piermont takes its name, but with this exception I have never seen this Sparrow beyond the sound of the surf. It runs about through the thick marsh grasses taking wing only when hard pressed. Its song is short and insignificant. It nests on the ground, the 3-4 grayish white, finely speckled eggs being laid in late May or early June.
NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Passerherbulus nelsoni nelsoni
Resembles the Sharp-tailed but is smaller and has the throat, breast and sides deeper, very slightly, if at all, streaked with blackish; the upperparts more broadly margined with whitish. L. 5½.
Range. Nests in the interior from South Dakota northward to Great Slave Lake; migrates south to Texas and southeast through New York and Massachusetts to North Carolina and Florida.
Washington, rare T.V., May-Sept. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., Sept. 28-Oct. 17. Cambridge, formerly uncommon T.V. Glen Ellyn, one record, Oct. 2, 1893. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V.
This is a fresh-water representative of the Sharp-tail which nests in the prairie sloughs of the interior and reaches the Atlantic coast during its migrations and in the winter. It resembles the Sharp-tail in habits and when on the coast, may be found associated with it.
The Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow (P. n. subvirgatus) is similar to the Sharp-tailed Sparrow but is paler above; the throat, breast and sides are washed with cream-buff and indistinctly streaked with ashy. It nests on the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Cape Breton and in Prince Edward Island; and winters from South Carolina to Florida. In general habits it resembles the two preceding.
The three Sharp-tails may be distinguished chiefly by the color and markings of the breast. In the Sharp-tail these are pale buff distinctly streaked with blackish. In Nelson's they are deep buff lightly if at all streaked. In the Acadian they are cream-buff indistinctly streaked with grayish. The Sharp-tail may be known from the other two by its distinct black marks below, but the other two cannot certainly be distinguished from each other in life where both may be expected to occur.
SEASIDE SPARROW
Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus. [Case 6], Fig. 46
An olive-greenish Sparrow, with a yellow mark before the eye and on the bend of the wing; the underparts not distinctly streaked. L. 6.
Range. Salt marshes of the Atlantic Coast; nests from Virginia to Massachusetts; winters from Virginia to Georgia.
In the Piermont marsh, referred to under the Sharp-tailed Sparrow, there are Seasides as well as Sharp-tails, but this is the only place in which I have seen Seasides away from the sea. There they are abundant in the grassy marshes. Their song is weak and unattractive. Like the Sharp-tail they nest on the ground, laying 3-4 white or bluish white eggs, clouded or finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, the latter part of May.
This northern Seaside Finch is migratory, coming the latter part of April and remaining until the latter half of October, but in the South there are several races which for the most part are resident in the same locality throughout the year. Thus we have:
Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (P. m. macgillivraii).—Atlantic Coast from North Carolina south to Matanzas Islet, Florida. Dusky Seaside Sparrow (P. nigrescens), an almost black species from Merritt's Island, at the head of Indian River, Florida. Cape Sable Sparrow (P. m. mirabilis), Cape Sable, Florida. Scott's Seaside Sparrow (P. m. peninsulæ), Gulf Coast of Florida from Tampa to St. Marks; Northwest Florida Sparrow (P. m. juncicola) Coast of Florida west of St. Marks; Alabama Seaside Sparrow (P. m. howelli), Coast of Alabama and Mississippi. Louisiana Seaside Sparrow (P. m. fisheri), Coast of Louisiana to Northeast Texas; and Sennett's Seaside Sparrow (P. m. sennetti), Coast of Texas from Galveston at least to Corpus Christi.
LARK SPARROW
Chondestes grammacus grammacus. [Case 7], Fig. 19
The chestnut and white head markings and the white-tipped tail-feathers are conspicuous field-marks. L. 6¼.
Range. Mississippi Valley; nests from Louisiana to Minnesota and Ohio; winters from Mississippi southward; casual east of the Alleghanies, chiefly in the fall.
Washington, A.V., Aug., two captures. N. Ohio, rare S.R., Apl. 28. Glen Ellyn, local and uncommon S.R. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 20-Aug. 2.
Few field experiences have given me more pleasure than the discovery near my home at Englewood one November 2, many years ago, of a Lark Finch—one of the 'casuals' which had presumably been carried far from its course by a severe storm of the preceding days. The bird's strongly marked face and conspicuously white-tipped tail-feathers made an impression which testifies to their value as field-characters. In its own range this beautiful Sparrow is a sweet-voiced inhabitant of the fields, nesting on the ground or in low trees and bushes, and laying 3-5 white eggs, spotted and blotched with blackish, in May.
HARRIS'S SPARROW
Zonotrichia querula. [Case 7], Fig. 21
A large Sparrow, larger even than the Fox Sparrow; with a pinkish bill, the crown, throat and breast more or less blackish; cheeks buff. L. 7½.
Range. Interior of North America, nesting in North Carolina; winters from Kansas to Texas; rare east of Wisconsin. Glen Ellyn, one record, May 19. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 6; Sept. 21-Oct. 25.
When migrating this Sparrow reminds one of a White-throat. It has a sharp clink note and frequents brier patches and bushy places.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
Zonotrichia leucophrys. [Case 7], Fig. 22
Resembles the White-throat but throat gray, like the breast, space before the eye black, not yellow, white in the crown more conspicuous. L. 6¾.
Range. Nests in Canada; winters from Virginia and Ohio to Mexico; not a common migrant in the Atlantic States.
Washington, irregularly common W.V. and T.V., May 1-17; Oct. 7-Nov. 20. Ossining, rare T.V., May 9-26; Oct. 3-30. Cambridge, uncommon T.V., May 12-22; Oct. 1-20. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 22-May 20; Sept. 5-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V.; chiefly spring, Apl. 24-May 31; Oct. 2-21. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 30-; Sept. 26-Oct. 14.
This distinguished-looking cousin of our White-throated Sparrow is rare enough in the Eastern States, always to command our attention when we are so fortunate as to meet him. He resembles the White-throat in habits and choice of haunts but his song has a tender, appealing quality, lacking in the White-throat's more cheerful lay, charming as that is.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
Zonotrichia albicollis. [Case 2]. Figs. 45, 46; [Case 4], Fig. 40
The adults may be recognized at sight by their white throat, but this character is less prominent and sometimes almost wanting in young birds (Fig. 46) which will require close scrutiny. L. 6¾.
Range. Nests from northern New England and central Minnesota northward; winters from southern New England and Ohio to the Gulf.
Washington, very common W.V., abundant T.V., Mch. 18-May; Sept. 15-Dec. 16. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 10-May 21; Sept. 20-Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very common T.V., Apl. 25-May 15; Oct. 1-Nov. 10; a few winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 1-May 21; Sept. 10-Nov. 7. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 9-May 26; Sept. 13-Nov. 7. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 8-; Sept. 2-Nov. 13.
This clear-voiced whistler is known to many persons who have never seen it. When anyone returning from the bird's summer range tells me "I heard a bird sing like this," I know before he whistles a note that he will probably imitate the White-throat. Fortunately the song has so much character and its intervals conform so closely to those of our musical scale, that a recognizable imitation of it is within the power of everyone. There is much variation in the arrangement of the notes and migrants never seem to sing with the power of nesting birds, nor do fall songs compare in volume or execution with those of spring. The call-note is a characteristic sharp clink.
The White-throat is abundant, migrating and wintering in companies which frequent bushy places, hedgerows and undergrowth generally. The nest is placed on the ground or in bushes in late May or early June. The eggs. 4-5 in number, are bluish white, speckled or blotched with brown.
TREE SPARROW
Spizella monticola monticola. [Case 2], Fig. 44; [Case 4], Fig. 46
A dusky spot in the center of the breast and a reddish brown cap and streak behind the eye are distinguishing characters. L. 6½.
Range. Nests in Canada; winters from southern Canada south to Arkansas and South Carolina.
Washington, abundant W.V., Oct.-Apl. 1. Ossining, common W.V., Oct. 10-Apl. 27. Cambridge, common W.V., abundant T.V., Oct. 25-Nov. 25; Mch. 20-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, abundant W.V., Oct. 24-May 3. Glen Ellyn, common W.V., Oct. 4-Apl. 28. SE. Minn., common T.V., Oct. 6-May 5; a few winter.
From October to April companies of Tree Sparrows harvest the season's crop of weed seeds, feeding usually near woods or hedge-rows to which they go to rest and roost. Their merry chatter is one of the season's most cheerful notes, and in the spring we may hear their canary-like song.
CHIPPING SPARROW
Spizella passerina passerina. [Case 4], Fig. 45; [Case 5], Fig. 31
In summer, the chestnut cap, black bill, and whitish line over the eye mark the 'Chippy'; but in the fall and winter the crown is like the back, the line over the eye is brownish, and the bill is brown; but the gray rump, shown well in flight, is a good character the year around. L. 5½.
Range. Nests from Georgia and Mississippi to Canada; winters from South Carolina to the Gulf.
Washington, common S.R., abundant T.V., Mch. 9-Nov. 11, occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 5-Nov. 7. Cambridge, abundant S.R., Apl. 12-Oct. 25. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 23-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, not very common S.R., Apl. 5-Nov. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 8-Oct. 26.
The friendly Chippy is the most familiar and domestic of any of our native Sparrows. He makes tentative visits to our piazzas and, cats permitting, will take up his residence there, building a neat, hair-lined nest in the vines or a nearby bush. Unassuming in voice as he is in manner, his Chippy-chippy-chippy, many times repeated, expresses contentment, even if it does not attain high musical rank. Madame Chippy has fine taste in eggs, laying, in early May, little blue gems, beautifully marked with brown or black.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Spizella pallida. [Case 6], Fig. 48
The Clay-colored Sparrow resembles a winter Chipping Sparrow, but is paler and has a white line over the eye and a brownish rump. L. 5½.
Range. Interior states east to Illinois; winters from Texas southward. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 26-Oct. 19.
A Chipping Sparrow of the Plains which nests on the ground and in low bushes. It is not common east of the Mississippi.
FIELD SPARROW
Spizella pusilla pusilla. [Case 4], Fig. 43; [Case 5], Fig. 14
The upperparts are brighter reddish brown than in any of our other Sparrows, and the bill is 'pinker.' L. 5½.
Range. Nests from northern Florida and central Louisiana to Minnesota and Maine; winters from New Jersey and Illinois to the Gulf States.
Washington, very common P.R. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 2-Nov. 7. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 12-Nov. 1; casual in winter. N. Ohio, abundant in summer, Mch. 6-Oct. 25. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common S.R., Mch. 27-Oct. 11. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Dec. 28.
'Bush Sparrow,' Mr. Roosevelt always called this bird, and the name gives a better conception of its haunts than that of Field Sparrow, since it is found in bush-grown fields. From a bush-top it sings its clearly whistled, sweet, appealing song, varying the relation of notes and trills, but never their musical quality. In a bush also it nests, laying 3-5 white eggs, marked with reddish brown, in May.
SLATE-COLORED JUNCO
Junco hyemalis hyemalis. [Case 2], Fig. 43; [Case 4], Fig. 41
The plumage of the female is tinged with brownish, but the prevailing tone is slate-gray, unlike that of any of our other Sparrows. The white outer-tail feathers are conspicuously flashed in flight. L. 6¼.
Range. Nests from northern New England and northern New York to Canada and southward in the mountains to Pennsylvania; winters in all the Eastern States. The Carolina Junco (J. h. carolinensis), a slightly larger race without a brownish tinge, nests in the higher parts of the Alleghanies from Maryland to northern Georgia, descending to the adjacent lowlands in winter.
Washington, abundant W.V., Sept. 26-May 12. Ossining, common W.V., Sept. 19-May 4. Cambridge, rather common W.V., abundant T.V., Sept. 20-Nov. 25; Mch. 20-Apl. 20. N. Ohio, abundant W.V., Oct. 2-May 5. Glen Ellyn, W.V., abundant spring and fall, Aug. 30-May 13, SE, Minn., common T.V., Mch. 4-; Sept. 20-Nov. 12.
Gray skies and a snow-covered earth are the Junco colors, and when he flashes them along the hedgerows and wood borders we know that although it is only late September, winter will soon be with us. From that time until April the Junco is of our commonest birds. He visits our food-shelf and roosts in our evergreens, becoming almost as domestic as the Chipping Sparrow. The Junco's call-notes are a sharp tsip, a contented chew-chew-chew, and a sharp kissing call. Its modest, musical little trill we shall not hear until spring. The nest is built on the ground, and the 4-5 white, speckled, or spotted, eggs are laid late in May.
BACHMAN'S SPARROW
Peucæa æstivalis bachmani
With a general resemblance to a Field Sparrow but bill black and larger, cheeks and underparts more buffy, tail shorter, no evident wing bars.
Range. Southeastern United States from central Georgia to Virginia and from northwestern Florida to central Illinois; winters from North Carolina to northern Florida.
Where 'scrub' oaks grow beneath the pines, or post, or white oaks form open woods, there one may look for this rather retiring, sweet-voiced Sparrow. If one can imagine a Hermit Thrush singing the Field Sparrow's chant, he will have some conception of the rare quality of Bachman's Sparrow's song. The nest is built on the ground, the white unmarked eggs being laid early in May.
The Pine Woods Sparrow (P. æ. æstivalis), is a darker race, more streaked above with black. It is resident in Florida (except the northwestern part) and southern Georgia where it frequents pine forests undergrown with scrub palmetto.
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. 5¼.
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. 7½.
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. 8¼.
Range. Nests from northern Georgia and central Kansas; winters from Ohio and Potomac Valleys to the Gulf.
Washington, common S.R., very common T.V., Apl. 5-Oct. 21; a few winter. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 21-Oct. 31. Cambridge, common S.R., Apl. 25-Oct. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Mch. 10-Oct. 25. Glen Ellyn, not common, S.R., Mch. 30-Nov. 18, SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 11-Nov. 8.
Chewińk, towheé, the clear, emphatic, strongly accented call announces the presence of a bird whose colors are as distinctive as its notes. The Towhee feeds on the ground in and near bushy places, but when the desire to sing comes upon him he leaves his lowly haunts and taking a more or less exposed perch, fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, utters his sweet-bird-sin-n-n-g, with an earnestness which goes far to atone for his lack of striking musical ability. The nest is built on the ground and the 4-5 white, finely speckled eggs are laid during the first half of May.
The White-eyed Towhee (P. e. alleni) of Florida and the coast region north to Charleston, South Carolina, has the eye yellowish instead of red and the white markings are more restricted. Its call is higher than that of the northern bird and its song shorter.
CARDINAL
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis. [Case 4], Figs. 34, 35.
The male, with his conspicuous crest and bright colors, can be confused with no other species; the female is much duller and the crest is less prominent but still evident. L. 8¼.
Range. Resident from the Gulf States to southern New York and northern Ohio; rarely found further north.
Washington, common P.R.; less common than formerly. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, irregular but not very infrequent at all seasons. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare S.R. SE. Minn., rare.
Next to the Mockingbird's medley, the rich, mellow whistle of the Cardinal is the most prominent bird voice in the choir of southern songsters. Passing most of the time in the undergrowth, where, in spite of his brilliant colors, he readily conceals himself, he makes no attempt, when singing, to hide his fiery plumes, but selecting a conspicuous perch, challenges the attention of the world.
The female Cardinal also sings, but her song has much less volume than that of her mate, and is more rarely heard. The call-note of both sexes is a minute; sharp, cheep, which one would attribute to a bird half their size. The Cardinal nests in bushes, laying 3-4 whitish eggs speckled and spotted with brown, in April.
The Florida Cardinal (C. c. floridanus), a slightly smaller, deeper colored (especially in the female) race of the preceding, inhabits the peninsula of Florida.
BLUE GROSBEAK
Guiraca cærulea cærulea. [Case 6], Figs. 52, 53
Should be confused only with the Indigo Bunting, but it is larger and the male is darker and has brown wing-bars. L. 7.
Range. Nests from Florida to Maryland and southern Illinois; winters in the tropics, uncommon east of the Alleghanies.
Washington, very uncommon, S.R., May 1-Sept. 20. Cambridge, A.V., one instance, May.
The Blue Grosbeak is an unfamiliar bird to most eastern students. Ridgway states that its haunts resemble those of the Field Sparrow or Indigo Bunting. Its call is a strong, harsh ptchick, its song a beautiful, but rather feeble warble. The nest is usually built in bushes and the 3-4 pale bluish white eggs are laid in May.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK
Zamelodia ludoviciana. [Case 7], Figs. 25, 26
The male needs no introduction; the streaked plumage of the female betrays her Sparrow ancestry; the white stripe over her eye is a conspicuous mark. Young males in the fall resemble the female, but have a rose-tinted breast. L. 8.
Range. Nests from central Kansas and central New Jersey north to Canada, and, in the mountains, south to northern Georgia; winters in the tropics.
Washington, rather common T.V., May 1-30; Aug. 29-Oct. 6. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., May 3-Oct. 1. Cambridge, very common S.R., May 10-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., common T.V., Apl. 27-Sept. 28. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 23.
Distinguished alike by plumage and song, the Rose-breast is one of our most notable bird citizens. His song resembles in form that of the Robin, but has a more lyrical, flowing, joyous quality, and, unlike the Robin, he often sings while flying. The call-note of both sexes is a sharp peek which, like the Cardinal's cheep, seems too small for the bird.
The Rose-breast lives and nests in woodland, particularly second-growths, building a frail nest ten to twenty feet from the ground. The 4-5 blue, brown-marked eggs are laid the latter half of May.
INDIGO BUNTING
Passerina cyanea. [Case 7], Figs. 23, 24
The male, well seen, is unmistakable. The female is very 'sparrowy' and, unless one gets a suggestion of blue in her plumage, can best be identified by her unsparrow-like, sharp pit. L. 5½.
Range. Nests from Georgia and Louisiana to Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, common S.R., Apl. 29-Oct. 9. Ossining, common S.R., May 4-Oct. 17. Cambridge, common S.R., May 15-Oct. 1. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 26-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., May 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common S.R. Apl. 28-Oct. 2.
"July, July, summer-summer's here; morning, noontide, evening, list to me" the Indigo sings in rather hard but brilliant little voice. To me the words express the rhythm as well as the spirit of the song. We hear them most often in bushy fields and open second-growths, along hedge-rows or from briery clumps in which the bird's nest may be hidden. The pale, bluish white eggs are laid the latter half of May.
PAINTED BUNTING
Passerina ciris. [Case 6], Figs. 49, 50
The male is one of our most brilliantly colored birds, the female has the color of a Vireo but the bill of a Sparrow.
Range. Southern States north to southeastern North Carolina and southern Kansas; winters from southern Florida southward.
"Painted" Bunting he is called, but the brilliancy and luster of his plumage were not painted by human hands. 'Nonpareil' he has also been named, and, in the eastern United States, at least, he is without equal in the brightness of his colors. The bird's haunts are not unlike those of the Indigo Bunting, and its song is said to resemble the Indigo's but to be more feeble. It builds in bushes and low trees, laying 3-4 bluish white, brown-spotted eggs in May.
DICKCISSEL
Spiza americana. [Case 7], Fig. 20
The yellow on the breast and, in the male, black crescent will distinguish this species from all its Sparrow kin. L. 6.
Range. Chiefly prairies of the Mississippi Valley, from Texas and Mississippi north to Minnesota and southern Ontario; now rare east of the Alleghanies.
Washington, formerly "very abundant," now seen only occasionally, May-Aug. Cambridge, casual, found nesting at Medford, June 9. 1877, where several birds were observed; not uncommon in 1833-34 (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, III, 1878, 45. 190). N. Ohio, rare S.R., May 1. Glen Ellyn, rather rare and local S.R., formerly common. May 3-Sept. 5. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 11-Aug. 20.
The Dickcissel is a bird of the fields who, from a weed-stalk or fence by the wayside, sings his unmusical dick-dick cissel, cissel, cissel. The nest is built on the ground or in a bush and the 4-5 pale blue eggs are laid the latter half of May.