152 Z. ALBICOLLIS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



TAentcnant TVarrev^s Expedition.— 4990-91, Big Nemaha River; 4788, Wood's Bluff; 

 4785, 4787, Blackbirrt Hills; 4782, 4784, 4796, Biji Sioux River; 478:i, 4786, 4789, Ver- 

 milion River; 4501, White Earth River; 4502, Cedar Islaud. 



Not obtained by Captain Rayuolds' Expedition. 



I liave not deemed it necessary to cite the volnminous records vSnb- 

 stautiatiug tbe above-ineutioued range and nioveujents of this lamiliar 

 species. Dr. Hnjden's specimens represent, Jis far as we now know, 

 the westernmost limit in the United States For the Eastern States^ I 

 have found no record of the bird's breeding south of the northerly 

 parts of New England — not even in the highest parts of the Middle 

 States, where, however, some may yet be found to nestle, like the Tree 

 Sparrow and Snow-bird. Mr. Mcll wraith does not give it ns breeding 

 at Haaiilton, Canada West 5 but Mr. Trippe Ibuud it nesting in the 

 tamarack swamps and windfalls of Minnesota, as it probably does at 

 other points on our northern frontier. It does not appear to rencU 

 Alaska, although the westward trend of the Eastern Zoological Province 

 reaches to the Pacific in that latitude. Judging from the dates of 

 collection of Dr. Hayden's numerous specimens, they were migrating at 

 the time of observation. The bird occupies the whole Southern States 

 in winter; and, selecting a middle point in its migrations, we may clearly 

 trace its movements. Thus, in Maryland and Virginia, where I became 

 familiar with it during several years of observation, many spend the 

 winter in sheltered situations; but the great increase in their numbers 

 during spring and fall show that the great body of them moves further 

 south. They are extremely abundant in the month of October, while 

 most are passing through, and again in May. Many linger until the 

 middle of May, when they are off for the north, leaving not a single 

 straggler. They frequent, on the whole, different places in the spring 

 and "fall. At the former season, they enter the woods in large numbers, 

 less closely associating than during the fall, and ramble over the ground, 

 doubtless in search of insects, the last year's supply of seeds being in 

 a great measure exhausted. In autumn, they are found principally 

 trooping together in shrubbery, along hedge-rows, the brier-patches of 

 old tields, and similar resorts, where the seeds they like are jdenty. 

 Audubon's account of their manners at this season is too faithful and 

 vivid to ever grow out of date: 



" How it comes and how it departs are quite unknown to me. I can 

 only say that, all of a sudden, the edges of the tields bordering on 

 creeks or swampy jjlaces, and overgrown with different species of vines, 

 sumac-bushes, briers, and the taller kinds of grasses, appear covered 

 with these birds. They form groups, sonietimes containing from thirty 

 to fifty indivitluals, and live together in harmony. They are constantly 

 moving u}) and down among these recesses, with frequent jerkings of 

 the tail, and uttering a note common to the tribe. From the hedges 

 and thickets they issue one by one, in quick succession, and ramble to 

 the distance of eight or ten yards, hopping and scratching, in quest of 

 small .'eeds, and preserving the utmost silence. When the least noise 

 is heard, or alarm given, and frequently, as I thought, without any 

 alarm at all, they all tiy back to their covert, pushing directly into the 

 thickest part ofit. A' moment elapses, when they become reassured, 

 and, ascending to the highest branches and twigs, oi)en a little concert, 

 which, although of short duration, is extremely sweet. There is much 

 l)laintive softness in their note, which I wish, kind reader, I could 

 describe to you; but this is impossible, although it is yet ringing in my 

 ear, as if I were in those very fields where I have so often listened to it 

 with delight. No sooner is their music over than they return to the 



