There the "Foxy" sparrow perched on the pine branch ready to drop into the melee at the base of the feeder.White-throated sparrows, Song Sparrows, Titmice, Chickadees, a male Cardinal ( don't they impress as a "scared cat" ready to flee at the slightest) an Eastern Towhee (yipes still surviving). ' While modestly garbed, the rich tawny coloring (like that of a fox in his summer pelage)' and the large size make identification some what easy; though this is a highly variable sparrow with 18 races recognized. One can see the impression that the streaking would lend this bird to a name: "Ferruginous Finch" (Birds of America,. T. Gilbert Pearson, Ed., pp 55, Part II, 1917. The Louis Agassiz Fuertes color plates are spectacular.)
With a sly smile I must admit I was somewhat envious of those who nonchalantly mentioned having Fox sparrow(s) at their feeder or in their yard. Well this is my very first Fox Sparrow for the yard list. It warms the cockles of my heart...a bit excessive ..no ? Diana Teta Long Island, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
