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T H E FOX-COLOURED SPARROW.
FRINGILLA ILIACA, MERREM.
P L A T E C V I I I . MALE AND FEMALE.
ALTHOUGH the Fox-coloured Sparrow visits us regularly at the approach
of winter, it merely remains during the few months of the year
which are too severe in the more northern parts of our continent, where it
resides at all other periods. It wanders, however, as far southward as the
lower parts of Louisiana, is also met with in Kentucky, and in the countries
bordering on the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi, and visits the Floridas,
Georgia, the Carolinas, and in short every State south of Massachusetts.
In the latter State, and in that of Maine, few individuals are
seen after its passage through these districts, late in October.
In the northern parts of America, where it breeds, it replaces the
Towhe Bunting, so abundant in our middle States, where it delights us with
its song. To that species the Fox-coloured Sparrow comes next in size,
while it greatly surpasses it in its musical powers.
While in the United States, it lives retired, and separates itself from
most other species. Little flocks, consisting of a family or two, take possession
of some low well-covered thicket, by the side of some clear streamlet,
where they spend the winter unmolested, searching for food among
the fallen and withered leaves, or among the roots and dead branches of
trees. Should a warm morning dawn on their retreat, the male birds
directly ascend to the middle branches of the brambles, and in a soft under
tone cheer the females with their melodies. At all other times they
remain comparatively silent, merely emitting a note to call each other, or
to assure their little family that all is safe around them. Towards spring
a kind of bustle takes place in their camp: the males, already warmed
with affection and love, renew their attentions to their mates; new connections
are formed by the young; their song becomes much improved;
and the passer by may here and there see a pair moving slowly and cautiously
towards the land whence they had emigrated some months before.
Follow these birds wherever you will, you invariably find them not in
deep woods, but along the fences, and amid patches of briars and tangled
underwood, which at all times seem so pleasing to them. They traverse
FOX-COLOURED SPARROW.
the whole of the Union by day, resting here and there awhile, to watch
the gradual improvement of the season.
They enter the British Provinces full of joy, and lavish of song. Many
are well pleased to remain there, but the greater number pursue their
course to revisit the Magdeleine Islands, Newfoundland, and the country
of Labrador. There you find them in every pleasant dell, where no sooner
have they arrived than each searches for a safe retreat in which to place
its nest. This is in due time replenished with eggs; and, while the female
sits on them with care and anxiety, her devoted lover chants the
blessings they both enjoy.
The flight of this bird is low, rapid, and undulating. While passing
over the Gulf of St Lawrence, it flies swiftly, at a moderate height, without
uttering any note. They appear to be able to travel to a considerable
distance, without the necessity of alighting, and I have thought that they
may accomplish the passage of the Gulf without resting on any of its
islands. As soon as they alight, they betake themselves to the deepest
thickets.
During the breeding season, their plumage has a richness which it
does not exhibit in the winter months, while with us. Indeed some of the
males at that time are so highly coloured as to be of a bright red rather
than of a brown tint; and their appearance, as they pass from one bush
to another, or skip from stone to stone, is extremely pleasing. I have
attempted to represent this colouring in the Plate.
Would that I could describe the sweet song of this finch; that I could
convey to your mind the effect it produced on my feelings, when wandering
on the desolate shores of Labrador !—that I could intelligibly tell
you of the clear, full notes of its unaffected warble, as it sat perched on
the branch of some stunted fir. There for hours together was continued
the delightful serenade, which kept me lingering about the spot. The
brilliancy and clearness of each note, as it flowed through the air, were so
enchanting, the expression and emphasis of the song so powerful, that I
never tired of listening. But, reader, I can furnish no description of the
melody.
While in South Carolina, in January 1834, after I had returned from
the country where this species breeds, I happened, one fair day, to meet
with a groupe of these birds. They were singing in concert. Never shall
I forget the impression which their notes made on me : I suddenly stopped
and looked around; for a moment I imagined that I had been by magic