ROWS (The whole family).]

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563. Field Sparrow. _Spizella pusilla pusilla._

Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to
southern Manitoba and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States.

These are abundant birds along roadsides, in thickets, or on dry
sidehills, where they nest indifferently on the ground or in bushes,
making their nests of grass and weed stems. They are the birds, whose
high piping song is most frequently heard on hot sultry days in summer.
Their eggs are laid in May or June; they are pale bluish white, speckled
and blotched with yellowish brown and grayish purple. Size .65 x .50.

563a. WESTERN FIELD SPARROW. _Spizella pusilla arenacea._

Range.--Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern
half of its range and wintering in the southern.

A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as
those of the eastern bird.

564. WORTHEN'S SPARROW. _Spizella wortheni._

Range.--Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico.

This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no
decided markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and
uncommon anywhere. I am not able to find any material in regard to their
eggs.

565. BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. _Spizella atrogularis._

Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward.

This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky streaked,
reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin and throat. Their
habits are similar to those of the Field Sparrow and their nests are
made near the ground in bushes, but the eggs are plain bluish green,
about like unmarked Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size .65 x .50.

566. WHITE-WINGED JUNCO. _Junco aikeni._

Range.--Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyoming; winters in
Colorado and casually to Kansas.

This species is like the next but larger and with the wings crossed by
two white bars. Its habits are like those of the common Juncos, the
nests are placed on the ground, concealed under overhanging rocks or
tufts of grass, and the eggs are like those often seen of the
Slate-colored Junco; 3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and spotted
with light reddish brown. Size .75 x .55.

[Illustration 350: Field Sparrow.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: White-winged Junco.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

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