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.