224 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



coast of Labrador. Though I found it plentiful in every locality which I 

 visited, and in all situations, it seems particularly fond of deep thickly wooded 

 and secluded ravines, surrounded by high precipitous cliffs ; and when in more 

 open districts confines itself chiefly to the most tangled patches of juniper 

 and scrubby fir. It is a very active and sprightly bird, almost continually in 

 motion ; it seldom alights without jerking and flirting the tail, and rapidly 

 uttering its loud chirping. While the female is incubating, the male has a 

 habit of mounting to the top of the cliff or tree nearest his nest, and there re- 

 peating his loud, somewhat monotonous, but not unpleasing notes for a half 

 hour at a time. This song is very similar to that of the allied Z. albicollis, 

 the common "White-throated Sparrow, and consists of two long drawn syllables 

 with a rising intonation, and then three more in a quick "hurried manner, 

 with a failing cadence; "pet, dee", de-dg-de ;" the whole a mellow whistle. 

 Should the performer be observed or approached while thus engaged, he in- 

 stantly becomes silent, and dives hastily into the nearest cover. 



The nest of the White-crowned Sparrow is always, I believe, placed on the 

 ground ; and, oftener than elsewhere in the midst of the little patches of a low 

 heath that grows abundantly wherever the ground is dry enough. It is com- 

 posed externally of moss, internally of fine dried grasses, evenly disposed in a 

 circular manner. The eggs are four or five, oftener the former. Nuttall,* 

 when he states that "the eggs, four or five in number, are said to be of a 

 dusky or chocolate color," probably had reference to those of Anothus luclovi- 

 cianus, which are much as he describes them. A nest of the White-crowned 

 Sparrow, which I found on the 23d of July, contained four young, but a few 

 days old. These, however, must have been rather late, as by the 1st of Angust 

 there were many young birds to be seen. The female, when surprised on the 

 nest, flatters off in silence, retiring but a short distance ; but the male, if he be 

 near, instantly flies to the top of the nearest tree or bush, and there vociferates 

 his angry remonstrances, flirting his tail and jerking his body in the most 

 energetic manner. This species, though not so familiar as the fit-lark, is still 

 frequently seen about the houses ; and it is known to the natives simply as 

 the " Sparrow," or oftener as the " Chip-bird." 



Junco hyemalis (L.) Sclater. Snow-Bird. 



Niphcea hyemalis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 88 ; pi. 167. 

 Junco hyemalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 468. 



The Snow-bird, so common and so well known in winter throughout the 

 eastern portions of the United States, is not so abundant as might be expected 

 in Labrador, one of its breeding regions. From the fact that I was not in a 

 suitable locality, I did not observe it until the latter part of July, at which 

 time it was in small companies, the old and young associating together. They 

 kept entirely in the thick woods, and were rather timid. I heard no song, 

 nor indeed any note except the easily recognized chirp peculiar to this species. 



Until within a few years the breeding places of the snow-bird were unknown, 

 and its nidification involved in an obscurity remarkable for so common and 

 familiar a bird. But it is now well ascertained to breed in the entire region 

 around Hudson's Bay, and southward in the mountainous regions of New 

 York and Pennsylvania. 



Spizella monticola (Gm.) Baird. Tree Sparrow. 



Emberiza canadensis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 83 ; pi. 166. 

 Spizella mont'cola, Baird, Gen. Rep. 472. 



This little Sparrow is quite common in all wooded districts in Labrador. It 

 is there a very tame and unsuspicious bird, showing no fear even when very 



Alanual of Ornithology, 1st ed. i., page 479. 



[A 



U S- 



