226 LAND-BIRDS. 



in that country wliicli is so often indefinitely referred to as 

 "the South " ; and I have heard of but one supposed instance 

 of their remaining in Massachusetts throughout the winter, 

 which instance came to my notice (from an insufficient author- 

 ity) in the year 1874, when another specimen was reported 

 from a town near Boston, in the latter part of July. The 

 White-throated Sparrows usually come to that neighborhood, 

 when on their way to their summer homes, about the twen- 

 tieth of April or a few days later, but in severe seasons not 

 until May. During their stay here, which is commonly of 

 between one and three weeks' duration, they spend their time 

 in stubble-fields, roadsides, cultivated estates, and like places 

 (also rarely in swamps) ; associating somewhat with other 

 Finches, particularly with those who are migrating at the 

 same time ; generally being themselves in small flocks, though 

 separate individuals may now and then be seen. They feed 

 almost entirely upon seeds, which they pick up from the 

 ground ; but they are not very quick in their movements^ 

 They are rather shy, and, when frightened, usually fly to trees, 

 not often perching at a greater height than thirty feet above 

 the ground. They are not, however, so shy as never to come 

 near houses, if they find the precincts attractive; but they 

 seem to be most bashful when they sing. Unfortunately they 

 do not sing very much in spring, and, indeed, some natural- 

 ists have told me that they have heard them utter here only 

 their ordinary notes. In summer, the " AYhite-throats " in- 

 habit northern New England (or the countries beyond), as^ 

 for instance, Mount Desert and the White Mountains. In 

 both these places they frequent the woodland, especially that 

 of " light growth," or the spruce trees, and I have often heard 

 them there near the tops of high wooded hiUs. I say " heard 



sometimes effective or necessary ; but Goldfinch, which is abundant here, is 



in general, the plural is preferable for resident throughout the year. It sings 



obvious reasons. The following exag- in May, and lays its eggs in June, etc' 



gerated examples require no explana- Though strictly incorrect, it is allow- 



tion. ' The Crow is black. He builds able by custom even to say, ' They 



his nest in pines, and lays four eggs lay their eggs in June ' ; but the plural 



in May.' ' The Robin is a common sometimes is certainly undesirable." 

 bird, and she is well known.' ' The 



