SPARROWS AND FINCHES 49 



seven inches long and rather stout. Their dress 

 is attractive. On the head are two black and 

 three white stripes. At the ends of the stripe^ 

 over the eye and at the bend of the wing there 

 is a dash of yellow. The upper parts are streaked 

 brownish and there are two distinct white wing 

 bars, and a square patch of white at the throat 

 which gives the bird its name. The under parts 

 are plain gray. They breed in woodland region? 

 of northern New England, north to Labrador. 

 The nest of coarse grass, fine roots, strips of bark , 

 etc., is on the ground or in low bushes. The four 

 or five eggs are white, speckled with brown. 



White-crowned Sparrow. This is another fine 

 large Sparrow, one we would much like to have 

 linger with us through the months of summer; 

 for not only has he a handsome suit but re- 

 port has it that in his nesting grounds far to 

 the north he is a singer of much merit. The 

 few notes I have heard during migration, in 

 cadence and intonation are quite like the clos- 

 ing strain of the White-throat, sweet and clear, 

 suggestive of a delicious song were the bird in 

 mood to do his best. 



In dress the White-crowned is the most beau- 

 tiful of all the Sparrows. The head has three 

 distinct black and four white stripes, and the 

 throat and breast are a beautiful gray without 

 the white patch. The back and rump are a rich 

 grayish brown, the tail darker. There is no 

 yellow about the eye or on the wing. 



They are gentle and refined in manner and 

 the low call note, chip^ is rather lisping and good- 

 natured when the bird is not alarmed. They 



