ed to be in ecstacy. Even in August, when the heat of the
dog-days and his moulting time drive him to leafy seclusion, his liquid
notes may be listened for with certainty, while "all through October
they sound clearly above the rustling leaves, and some morning he comes
to the dogwood by the arbor and announces the first frost in a song that
is more direct than that in which he told of spring. While the chestnuts
fall from their velvet nests, he is singing in the hedge; but when the
brush heaps burn away to fragrant smoke in November, they veil his song
a little, but it still continues."

While the Song Sparrow nests in the extreme northern part of Illinois,
it is known in the more southern portions only as a winter resident.
This is somewhat remarkable, it is thought, since along the Atlantic
coast it is one of the most abundant summer residents throughout
Maryland and Virginia, in the same latitudes as southern Illinois, where
it is a winter sojourner, abundant, but very retiring, inhabiting almost
solely the bushy swamps in the bottom lands, and unknown as a song bird.
This is regarded as a remarkable instance of variation in habits with
locality, since in the Atlantic states it breeds abundantly, and is
besides one of the most familiar of the native birds.

The location of the Song Sparrow's nest is variable; sometimes on the
ground, or in a low bush, but usually in as secluded a place as its
instinct of preservation enables it to find. A favorite spot is a deep
shaded ravine through which a rivulet ripples, where the solitude is
disturbed only by the notes of his song, made more sweet and clear by
the prevailing silence.

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
SONG SPARROW.
Copyrighted by Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.]

THE SONG SPARROW.

DEAR YOUNG READERS:

I fancy many of the little folks who are readers of BIRDS are among my
acquaintances. Though I have never spoken to you, I have seen your eyes
brighten when my limpid little song has been borne to you by a passing
breeze which made known my presence. Once I saw a pale, worn face turn
to look at me from a window, a smile of pleasure lighting it up. And I
too was pleased to think that I had given some one a moment's happiness.
I have seen bird lovers (for we have lovers, and many of them) pause on
the highway and listen to my pretty notes, which I know as well as any
one have a cheerful and patient sound,