Plate 108 – Fox Coloured Sparrow

In January of 1834, while exploring and hunting outside of Charleston, South Carolina, John James Audubon froze upon hearing the song of a Fox-coloured Sparrow. The current common name has been shortened to the Fox sparrow. What looks like a dull, boring, inconspicuous, little brown bird is often loaded with energy and bursting with songs and calls, as in the case of the Fox sparrow whose notes are “extremely beautiful.” And when feeling so inspired, the Fox sparrow can carry out a singing performance that can last for hours. The singing prowess of the Fox sparrow once landed the birds in a cage to be sold as pets in such places as market areas in Charleston for $ 0.10 to $ 0.12 each.