3l8 SINGING BIRDS. 



it pours forth a variety of pretty notes." At the commence- 

 ment of the pairing season the males are very pugnacious, 

 fighting often on wing, and the conquering rival, repairing to 

 the nearest bush, tunes his lively pipe in token of success. 



The Lark Finch is common along the Mississippi valley north to 

 Iowa and southern Michigan. It has been taken occasionally in 

 Manitoba and in Ontario, and a few examples have appeared in 

 New England, and southward along the Atlantic coast to Florida. 



It is said to resemble the Grass Finch in general habits, and its 

 song is somewhat similar. 



WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



PEABODY BIRD — OLD TOM PEABODY. 

 ZONOTRICHLA. ALBICOLLIS. 



Char. Back streaked, reddish brown, black and dull buff ; sides of 

 head and rump ashy ; crown with median stripe of white bordered by- 

 stripes of black ; stripes of yellow from bill to eyes ; stripes of white over 

 eyes ; stripes of black through eyes ; throat white ; under parts grayish 

 shading to white on the belly, the sides shaded with brown ; wings with 

 two white bars. Length 6% to 7 inches. 



Nest. In an old meadow or open woodland, or on the edge of a grove ; 

 placed on the ground upon a cushion of moss; composed of grass, stems, 

 roots, etc., lined with fine grass or roots, — sometimes with hair or 

 feathers. 



Eggs. 4-5 ; pale greenish blue, thickly marked with several shades of 

 reddish brown ; 0.85 X 0.60. 



These large and handsome Sparrows are seen in this part of 

 Massachusetts only as transient visitors at the approach of 

 winter, or in spring about the first week in May. In the 

 Middle and Southern States they pass the inclement season, 

 and appear there as a numerous species. A flock has been 

 observed in the State of New York in the month of January. 

 In their hibernal resorts they are seen in bands, and show a 

 predilection for thickets, swamps, small streams, and the bor- 

 ders of ponds, where, among the tall and bleaching weeds, 

 they continue to collect the seeds, and probably insect larvae, 

 which constitute their usual fare. While here they keep much 

 on the ground, and seek out cool and shady situations, scratch- 



