FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 303

581- Spinna. palnda. (Swaim.). CLAY—COLORED SPARROW. Ad.— With a general resemblance to immature 8. social“, but less rufous above, whiter below, the line over the eye white, and the rump pale grayish brown instead of slaty gray. W., 2'40; T., 2-35; B., '34.

Range—Interior of North America; breeds from northern Nebraska, cen— tral Iowa, and northern Illinois northward; winters from southern Texas southward; accidental in North Carolina.

Nest, of grasses, lined with hairs, on the ground or in bushes. Eggs, three to five, similar to those of S. socialis.

“ This pale Sparrow of the plains is very similar in actions to the Chipping Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in habits" (Gross).

Bnnwna’s SPARROW (562. Spizella breweri), a western species, has been recorded once from Massachusetts.

583. Spilella. pusilla. ( Wile). FIELD SPARROW. Ail—Bill reddish brown ; top of the head rufous, agray line over the eye; nape slightly gray; back like the crown, but finely streaked with black and narrowly edged with brownish ashy; rump brownish ashy; middle and greater wing—coverts tipped with white; under parts white, tinged with ochraceous-butf on the breast and sides. [rm-Similar, but the colors duller, the crown edged with grayish and sometimes a faint grayish line through its center. Young infirst plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5'68; W.,2'50; T., 2'55; B., ~36.

Remarks—This bird may be known by its brightly colored back, bufl'y breast, and especially by its reddish bill.

Range—Eastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and South

larolina to Quebec and Manitoba; winters from Illinois and Virginia south- ward.

Washington, very common P. R. Sing Sing, common S. B., Apl. 2 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, common S. R., Apl. 15 to Nov. 1.

Neat, of rather coarse grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, ctc., lined with fine grasses and long hairs, on the ground or in low bushes. Eggs, three to five, white or bluish white, ,with numerous rufous markings, chiefly about the larger end, '70 x '52.

Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, and espe- cially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field—marks of this misnamed Sparrow. He is not a true Field Sparrow, but prefers old pastures dotted with clumps of bushes or young cedars. There is something winning in his appearance; he seems such a gentle, innocent, dove- like little bird. His song is in keeping with his character, being an unusually clear, plaintive whistle, sweeter to the lover of birds’ songs than the voice of the most gifted songstress. It is subject to much variation. Not only do the same individuals sing several different songs, but two individuals in the same locality rarely sing alike. There is also much variation in the songs of birds from different regions. For this reason it is quite impossible to give a description