THE PERCHING Birps. 97 
The Sea-side Finch is more strictly marine than the 
preceding, and what the sand-pipers do in the way of 
running and wave dodging is quite within this spar- 
row’s capabilities; but it does more: it does its best 
to enliven the salt marshes by a lively little song 
which it hears, doubtless, but which is often drowned 
by the ceaseless clack and clatter of the clapper rails. 
Both the sharp-tailed and sea-side finches are cre- 
puscular, and run up and down the reeds and on the 
water’s edge long after most birds have gone to 
sleep ; and late at night, on the shore of Chesapeake 
Bay, I have heard the simple song of the sea-side 
sparrow. 
The White-crowned Sparrow is a beautiful north- 
ern bird that comes southward in autumn and 
remains until spring. Along the coast-line and 
through the Delaware Valley they are irregular in 
their appearance, but less so in the interior. The 
greater portion continue into the strictly Southern 
States, and a mild winter is called for to keep them 
where there is likely to be much ice and snow. 
The white-crowned sparrows of our Atlantic sea- 
board go out of the country to breed, and congre- 
gate in Labrador and Newfoundland. Here Dr. 
Coues found them nesting, the structure being placed 
upon the ground. This author states,— 
“The song of this species bears a close general resemblance to 
that of the White-throat, but is, nevertheless, instantly distinguish- 
able.’”’ 
In the West, this bird breeds in mountainous regions. 
Mr. Trippe describes their song, as he heard it in 
Colorado, as 
E & 9 
