THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



347 



sionally it has been observed to build its nest in the hollow of a tree, and to take possession of 

 a hole that had formerly been occupied by the woodpecker. The eggs are different in hue from 

 those of the common Sparrow, being dullish white, covered entirely with very light dots of 

 ashen-brown. Their number is generally from four to six. 



Lately was published a short communication from a gentleman residing at Penzance. 

 "A Norwegian brig put into Penzance a few days since, and among other incidents of the 

 voyage between Norway and England, the master of the vessel mentioned that midway 

 between the two countries, thousands of small Sparrows paused and alighted on the 

 ship, covering the deck and rigging. The birds were exhausted and soon died, and some 

 half-dozen were kept from mere curiosity to show to friends. These were brought for my 

 inspection, a day or two since, by a person who begged them of the captain to show me. 

 The six specimens were all Passer montanus, the Tree Sparrow, the Mountain Sparrow of 

 Bewick." 



Besides the markings which have already been mentioned, the Tree Sparrow has a streak 

 of white, marking the boundary between the chestnut of the neck and the red hue of the back 

 and wings. The lower wing-coverts are not so broadly tipped with white as in the common 

 species, but are of a deep black, with a very narrow edging of white. Below the eye and over 

 the ear-coverts, there is a narrow black streak, and the breast and abdomen are white, with a 

 brown tinge, deepening on the flunks. In size the Tree Sparrow is not so large as the common 

 species, by nearly half an inch of length. 



WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.- ZonotricUa aMcotUs. 



THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is an inhabitant of America, and is one of the partial 

 migrators, passing to and from the northern and southern portions of that continent, accord- 

 ing to the season of the year. 



Of this bird Wilson speaks as follows : " This is the largest as well as the handsomest of 

 all our Sparrows. It resides in most of the States south of New England. From Connecticut 

 to Savannah I found these birds numerous, particularly in the neighborhood of the Roanoke 

 river and among the rice plantations. In summer they retire to the higher inland parts of the 

 country, and also farther south, to breed. According to Pennant, they are also found at that 

 season in Newfoundland. During their residence here in winter they collect together in flocks, 

 always preferring the borders of swampy thickets, creeks, and mill-ponds, skirted with aldei 

 bushes and long rank weeds, the seeds of which form their principal food. 



