Part 4

Song.—A low sweet warble; call, a clear, repeated whistle.

Nest.—In coniferous trees, of twigs, rootlets and strips of bark; eggs three to four in number, greenish blue spotted with brown and lilac (1.00 × .70).

Range.—Breeds in eastern British America and northern New England; winters south to New York and Ohio. Several sub-species are found west of the Rockies.

PURPLE FINCH 517. Carpodacus purpureus. 6¼ inches

Male dull rosy red; female streaked brownish gray.

These beautiful songsters are common in the northern tier of states and in Canada. In spring the males are usually seen on, or heard from, tree tops in orchards or parks, giving forth their glad carols. They are especially musical in spring when the snow is just leaving the ground and the air is bracing. After family cares come upon them, they are quite silent, the male only occasionally indulging in a burst of song.

Song.—A loud, long-continued and very sweet warble; call, a querulous whistle.

Nest.—Of strips of bark, twigs, rootlets and grasses, placed at any height in evergreens or orchard trees. The eggs resemble, somewhat, large specimens of those of the Chipping Sparrow. They are three or four in number and are greenish blue with strong blackish specks (.85 × .65).

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from Pennsylvania and Illinois northward; winters throughout the United States.

AMERICAN CROSSBILL 521. Loxia curvirostra minor. 6 inches

These curious creatures appear in flocks on the outskirts of our cities every winter, where they will be found almost exclusively in coniferous trees. They cling to the cones, upon which they are feeding, in every conceivable attitude, and a shower of seeds and broken cones rattling through the branches below shows that they are busily working. They are very eccentric birds and the whole flock often takes flight, without apparent cause, only to circle about again to the same trees. The flute-like whistle that they utter when in flight sounds quite pleasing when coming from all the individuals in the flock.

Song.—A low twittering; call, a short, flute-like whistle.

Nest.—In coniferous trees, of spruce twigs, shreds of bark and some moss or grass. The three or four eggs are greenish white spotted with brown (.75 × .55).

Range.—Breeds from northern New England northward and westward, and south in mountains to Georgia; winters in the northern half of the U. S.

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL 522. Loxia leucoptera. 6 inches

Male, rosy; female, with yellowish.

This species seems to be of a more roving disposition, and even more eccentric than the last. They are not nearly as common and are usually seen in smaller flocks; occasionally one or two individuals of this species will be found with a flock of the American Crossbills, but they usually keep by themselves. While they may be seen in a certain locality one season, they may be absent for several seasons after, for some reason or other. They feed upon the seeds of pine cones, prying the cones open with their peculiar bills.

Notes.—Do not differ appreciably from those of the last.

Nest.—The nesting habits of this species are like those of the last, but the eggs differ in being slightly larger and in having the markings of a more blotchy character (.80 × .55).

Range.—Breeds from the northern parts of the northern tier of states northward. Winters in the northern half of the U. S.

GRAY-CROWNED LEUCOSTICTE 524. Leucosticte tephrocotis. 6½ inches

Female similar to, but duller colored than, the male.

All the members of this genus are western and northern, this one only being found east of the Rockies and then only in winter, when it occasionally is found east of the Mississippi. They wander about in rocky mountainous regions, feeding upon seeds and berries. They are very restless and stop in a place but a short time before flying swiftly away, in a compact flock, to another feeding ground.

Note.—An alarm note of a short, quick whistle.

Nest.—Built on the ground, usually beside a rock or in a crevice; composed of weeds and grass, lined with finer grass. They lay three or four unmarked white eggs in June.

Range.—Western U. S., breeding in the higher mountain ranges; in winter sometimes wandering east to the Mississippi.

REDPOLL 528. Acanthis linaria. 5¼ inches

Male with a rosy breast; female without.

In winter these northern birds may be found in flocks gathering seeds from weeds by the roadside and stone walls. Their actions greatly resemble those of our Goldfinch, but their flight is more rapid.

Song.—Strong, sweet and canary-like.

Nest.—At low elevations in bushes or trees; eggs three to five, pale greenish blue with brown specks.

Range.—Breeds in the extreme north; winters south to northern U. S.

Sub-Species.—528a. Holboell Redpoll (holboelli), slightly larger. 528b. Greater Redpoll (rostrata), larger and darker.

GREENLAND REDPOLL 527. Acanthis hornemannii. 6 inches

A larger and much whiter species found in Greenland and migrating to Labrador in winter. 527b. Hoary Redpoll (exilipes), smaller and darker, but still lighter than the Redpoll; winters south to Massachusetts.

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 529. Astragalinus tristis. 5¼ inches

These beautiful little creatures are often known as Thistle-birds and Wild Canaries, the former name because they are often seen on thistles, from the down of which their nests are largely made, and the latter name because of the sweet canary-like song. Their flight is a peculiar series of undulations accompanied by an intermittent twitter. They are very sociable and breed usually in communities as well as travel in flocks in the winter. Their food is chiefly of seeds and they often come to gardens in fall and winter to partake of sunflower seeds, these flowers often being raised for the sole purpose of furnishing food for the finches in the winter.

Song.—Sweet, prolonged and canary-like; call, a musical “tcheer,” and a twittering in flight.

Nest.—Of thistledown, plant fibres and grasses, in forks of bushes, most often willows or alders near water. Four or five unmarked, pale bluish eggs.

Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies; breeds from Virginia and Missouri north to Labrador; winters in U. S.

WESTERN GOLDFINCH 530. Astragalinus psaltria. 4¼ inches

Cap, wings and tail black; sides of head and back greenish. Female much duller and with no black in the crown. These little Goldfinches are very abundant throughout the West. Their flight is undulatory like that of the preceding, and all their habits are very similar. They spend the winter in bands, roving about the country, feeding on weed seeds; in summer they repair, either in small bands or by single pairs, to the edges of swamps or woodland near water, where they construct their compact homes in the forks of bushes. Their eggs are pale blue like those of the American Goldfinch, but of course are much smaller (.62 × .45). They are laid in May or June, or even earlier in the western portions of their range.

Song.—Sweet and musical, almost like that of the last species.

Range.—Western United States from the Plains to the Pacific, being abundant west of the Rocky Mountains.

PINE FINCH OR SISKIN 533. Spinus pinus. 5 inches

These are also northern birds, being found in the U. S., with the exception of the extreme northern parts, only in winter and early spring. Their habits are just like those of the Goldfinches, for which species they are often mistaken, as the latter are dull-colored in winter. Their song and call-notes are like those of the Goldfinch, but have a slight nasal twang that will identify them at a distance, after becoming accustomed to it. They are often seen hanging head downward from the ends of branches as they feed upon the seeds or buds and when thus engaged they are very tame.

Song.—Quite similar to that of the Goldfinch.

Nest.—In coniferous trees at any elevation from the ground. They are made of rootlets and grasses, lined with pine needles and hair; the three to five eggs are greenish white, specked with reddish brown (.65 × .45).

Range.—North America, breeding northward from the northern boundary of the U. S. and farther south in mountain ranges; winters throughout the U. S.

SNOWFLAKE 534. Plectrophenax nivalis. 7 inches

Adults in summer black and white; in winter, washed with brownish.

When winter storms sweep across our land, these birds blow in like true snowflakes, settling down upon hillsides and feeding upon seeds from the weed stalks that are sure to be found above the snow somewhere. They are usually found in large flocks, and are very restless, starting up, as one bird, at the slightest noise, or continually wheeling about from one hill to another, of their own accord.

Song.—A low twittering while feeding and a short whistle when in flight.

Nest.—Of grass and moss lined with feathers and sunk in the sphagnum moss with which much of Arctic America is covered. Three to five eggs, pale greenish white, specked with brown. Size .90 × .65.

Range.—Breeds from Labrador and Hudson Bay northward; winters in northern United States.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR 536. Calcarius lapponicus. 6¼ inches

Male in summer with black crown and throat and chestnut nape; female similar but duller; winter plumage, with feathers of head and neck tipped with grayish so as to conceal the bright markings.

As indicated by its name, this is a Northern species, which spends the cold months in northern U. S., traveling in flocks and resting and feeding on side hills, often with Snowflakes, or on lower ground with Horned Larks.

Song.—A sweet trill or warble, frequently given while in flight; call, a sharp chip.

Nest.—Of mosses, grasses and feathers placed on the ground in tussocks or on grassy hummocks. In June and July they lay from four to six eggs having a grayish ground color, which is nearly obscured by the numerous blotches of brown and lavender (.80 × .60).

Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward and winters south to South Carolina and Texas. A sub-species is found in the West.

SMITH LONGSPUR 537. Calcarius pictus. 6½ inches

Male in summer with the underparts buffy and sides of head marked with black; female, and male in winter, much duller with all bright markings covered with a brownish-gray wash.

Like the last species, these are Arctic birds found in winter, on the plains and prairies of middle U. S. They are rarely found within our limits when in their beautiful spring plumage. They are most always found in company with the following species feeding upon seeds, buds and small berries.

Song.—A sweet warble rarely heard in the United States; a clear “cheer-up” constantly uttered while on the wing.

Nest.—Of grasses, weeds and moss, lined with feathers; located on the ground in similar locations to those of the last species. The four or five eggs are similar to those of the last but lighter (.80 × .60).

Range.—Breeds about Hudson Bay and northward; winters in middle United States.

CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR 538. Calcarius ornatus. 6¼ inches

Male in summer with a black breast and crown, and chestnut nape; female, and male in winter, much duller and with all bright markings covered with grayish.

Unlike the preceding Longspurs, these are constant residents in the greater part of the Western Plains, in some localities being classed as one of the most abundant birds. They have a short, sweet song that, in springtime, is frequently given as the bird mounts into the air after the fashion of the Horned Larks. They commonly feed about ploughed fields, along the edges of which they build their nests.

Song.—A short, sweet trill; alarm note a sharp chip, and call note a more musical chirp.

Nest.—Of fine grasses, placed on the ground in open prairies or along the edges of cultivated fields, often being concealed beside a tussock; their four or five eggs are clay color marked with reddish brown and lavender (.75 × .55).

Range.—Breeds in the Great Plains from Kansas and Colorado north to Manitoba; winters south to Mexico.

M’COWN LONGSPUR 539. Rhynchophanes mccownii. 6 inches

Male with a black crown and patch on breast, and chestnut shoulders; female, and male in winter, dull colored with all bright markings obscured by brownish gray.

These are also common birds on the plains of middle U. S., but perhaps not so much so as the last species, with which species they are often found breeding. These finches show their close relationship to the famous Skylark of Europe by frequently indulging in the same practice of soaring aloft and descending on set wings, rapturously uttering their sweet song.

Song.—A shrill, twittering warble; call, a musical chirp.

Nest.—A neat cup of grasses in a hollow in the ground on prairies or in fields. Their four to six eggs are dull whitish clouded with brownish, the marking not being as distinct as in those of the last species (.75 × .55).

Range.—Breeds on the Great Plains from Kansas north to Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico.

ENGLISH SPARROW *** Passer domesticus. 6¼ inches

These street urchins were introduced into our country from Europe about 1850, and have since multiplied and spread out so that they now are found in all parts of our land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Heretofore they have confined themselves chiefly in the immediate vicinity of the larger cities and towns, but it is now noted with alarm that they are apparently spreading out into the surrounding country. They are very hardy creatures, able to stand our most rigorous winters. They are fighters and bullies from the time they leave the egg, and few of our native birds will attempt to live in the neighborhood with them.

Notes.—A harsh, discordant sound, which they commence early in the morning and continue until night.

Nest.—Of straw and rubbish piled behind blinds, in the tops of electric lights or crevices of buildings, and sometimes large, unsightly heaps of straw in trees. They raise three or four broods a year and in all seasons; five to seven whitish eggs scratched with black.

Range.—Whole of U. S. and southern Canada.

VESPER SPARROW 540. Poœcetes gramineus. 6 inches

The chestnut shoulders and white outer tail feathers distinguish this from any other of our Sparrows.

The name Vesper Sparrow is given this bird because of its habit of tuning up along toward evening; it is perhaps more often known as the “Bay-winged Sparrow” or “Grass Finch.”

They are found chiefly in dry pastures or along dusty roadsides, where they start from the ground in front of us, their white tail feathers showing prominently as they fly, so that there will be no mistake as to their identity.

Song.—A clear, ascending series of whistles, given from a fence post or bush top; call, a sharp chirp.

Nest.—Of grasses in weedy fields or pastures; four or five whitish eggs marked and blotched with brownish (.80 × .60).

Range.—Eastern N. A. from Virginia to southern Canada; winters in southern U. S. The similar Western Vesper Sparrow (confinis) is found from the Plains to the Pacific coast ranges.

IPSWICH SPARROW 541. Passerculus princeps. 6¼ inches

This species is larger and paler colored, but very similar to the more common and better known Savannah Sparrow. Its habits are the same. It breeds on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, and winters along the Atlantic coast to Virginia.

SAVANNAH SPARROW 542a. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. 5½ inches

Breast and sides streaked with brownish, and yellow before the eye and also on bend of wing.

These finches are very abundant in eastern U. S. during migrations and a few remain in the northern parts through the summer.

Song.—A weak trill or twitter; a short chip.

Nest.—Of grasses in hollows in the ground and concealed by grass or weeds. The four grayish eggs are spotted with brown (.75 × .55).

Range.—Winters in southern U. S.; breeds from northern U. S. northward. 542b. Western Savannah Sparrow (alaudinus) is found from the Plains west to the coast ranges. It is slightly paler.

BAIRD SPARROW 545. Ammodramus bairdi. 5¾ inches

Crown and nape brownish yellow streaked with black; underparts white, streaked on the throat, breast and sides with blackish; tail slightly forked and the feathers pointed.

In summer the western plains and prairie ring with the tinkling songs of these little Sparrows; they are especially abundant in Dakota and Montana.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 546. Ammodramus savannarum australis. 5½ inches

Crown blackish with a central buffy stripe; nape brown and gray; sides of head, breast and flanks, buffy without streaks.

Song.—A weak, insect-like “zee-e-e-e-e.”

Nest.—A grass-lined hollow in a field, with the top arched over so as to keep off the sun and conceal the eggs. In June four or five white, brown-specked eggs are laid (.75 × .55).

Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies; winters in southern U. S.

546b. Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (floridanus), a darker race found on the plains of interior Florida.

HENSLOW SPARROW 547. Passerherbulus henslowii. 5 inches

Crown and nape greenish, streaked with black; breast and sides buffy, streaked with black; tail feathers narrow and pointed.

This species is of a more southern distribution than the last, being rarely found in New England, but quite common in favorable localities south of Virginia.

LECONTE SPARROW 548. Passerherbulus lecontei. 5 inches

Hind head chestnut and gray; sides of head, throat, breast and flanks a rich buff color.

Song.—A grasshopper-like squeaking.

Nest.—Of grasses in hollows of the ground on prairies; eggs greenish white thickly specked with brownish (.65 × .50).

Range.—Breeds in the Great Plains from Dakota to Manitoba, and winters southeastward to the South Atlantic and Gulf States.

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW 549. Passerherbulus caudacutus. 5¾ inches

Back of head greenish; sides of head, breast, and flanks buff with black streaks; tail feathers sharp.

Salt marshes along the seacoast or along streams emptying into the ocean are the dwelling-places of these finches. They creep about like mice in the salt grass, now running across an open space, now threading their way through the upright stalks.

Song.—A rather weak, squeaky trill.

Nest.—Of seaweed and marsh grass, attached to the grass stalks several inches above ground and often covered by a mass of dry seaweed. Eggs greenish white specked with brown (.78 × .56).

Range.—Atlantic coast of the U. S.

NELSON SPARROW 549a. Passerherbulus nelsoni. 5½ inches

Similar to the last but brighter colored and not streaked below. In the Mississippi Valley north to Manitoba. 549a. Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow (sub-virgatus), Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to New Brunswick.

SEASIDE SPARROW 550. Passerherbulus maritimus. 6 inches

Yellow spot before the eye. General plumage above grayish green with no black markings. All the habits of the Seaside Sparrows are precisely like those of the Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The nests and eggs are indistinguishable and are often found in the same marshes.

Sub-Species.—550a. Scott Seaside Sparrow (peninsulæ), slightly smaller and with the back marked with black and brownish green; South Atlantic coast. 550b. Texas Seaside Sparrow (sennetti), greener above than No. 550; coast of Texas. 550c. Fisher Seaside Sparrow (fisheri), darker above than scotti and with the breast and sides heavily washed with rusty and streaked with black; coast of Louisiana. 550d. Macgillivray Seaside Sparrow (macgillivrayii), coast of South Carolina.

DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW 551. Passerherbulus nigrescens. 6 inches

Darkest of the Seaside Sparrows. Found only in marshes at head of Indian River, Florida.

LARK SPARROW 552. Chondestes grammacus. 6¼ inches

These handsome Sparrows are very abundant in the Mississippi Valley; their favorite resorts are fields, pastures, and prairie lands, or along dusty roadsides. Their song is one of the sweetest of any of the Sparrows, and is freely given throughout the summer.

Song.—A hurried gush of silvery tremulous notes.

Nest.—Sometimes in bushes but usually on the ground; of grasses arranged in a hollow to form a little cup, and usually concealed under a tuft of grass or bunch of clover. The birds usually run some distance from the nest before flying, so that they are quite hard to find. They lay three to five eggs, white, specked and scrawled sparingly with blackish (.80 × .60), wholly different from those of any other Sparrow.

Range.—Mississippi Valley, breeding from Texas to Manitoba; winters in southern U. S. and Mexico.

Sub-Species.—552a. Western Lark Sparrow (strigatus) is slightly paler and less heavily marked; found from the Plains to the Pacific.

HARRIS SPARROW 553. Zonotrichia querula. 7½ inches

Adults in summer with the crown face, and throat black; in winter with the black areas mottled with gray.

This species is one of the largest of the Sparrows. It is found abundantly on the prairies during migrations, but about nesting time they all seem to disappear and no one has, as yet, been able to locate their exact breeding range. It is supposed to be among some of the foothills of North Dakota and northward through Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as they have been found during the summer in all these localities. Nests supposed to belong to this species have been found, but they lack positive identification.

Song.—A series of musical, piping whistles.

Nest.—Supposed to be of grass and bark, a few inches above the ground in weed stalks or small shrubs; eggs whitish, thickly spotted with brown (.95 × .65).

Range.—Interior U. S. from Texas (in winter) north through the Plains and Mississippi to Manitoba.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 554. Zonotrichia leucophrys. 7 inches

Adults with a white crown bordered by black, the black covering the lores or space before the eye (the sub-species found west of the Rockies have the lores white).

We know these birds in the U. S., except in mountain ranges or in the extreme northern parts, only as migrants, they then being found in brushy woodlots or along roadsides. In the north they are found in deeply wooded ravines and on side hills. While with us they rarely if ever sing, but in their summer home they have a clear tinkling song like that of the White-throated Sparrow, with which we see them associated here.

Song.—A clear, sweet, piping “see-dee-dee-dee-de-e”; call note, a sharp chip.

Nest.—Usually on the ground under patches of brush or bushes. The four or five eggs are whitish profusely spotted with brown (.90 × .63).

Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. S. northward and in high ranges south to Mexico.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW 558. Zonotrichia albicollis. 6¾ inches