WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 319 



ing up the fallen leaves in quest of worms and other insects, 

 and are at this time often very unsuspicious, allowing a near 

 approach without betraying any alarm; but when in large 

 flocks, they move about in timorous haste as soon as ap- 

 proached. About the 15 th of April they leave the Middle 

 States, and retire to the high northern latitudes to breed, hav- 

 ing been seen in Labrador, Newfoundland, and the fur coun- 

 tries up to the 66th parallel in summer. At the period of 

 breeding the male sings with considerable energy and melody 

 already in the early spring ; also before their departure to the 

 North, on fine mornings, they are heard to whisper forth a few 

 sweet and clear notes, as in a revery of the approaching hap- 

 piness of their more lively and interesting condition. 



This Sparrow —known to the country people of the East as the 

 " Peabody Bird "' — breeds abundantly in the northern portions of 

 New York and New England as well as in the Maritime Provinces ; 

 and at the west in northern Michigan and Manitoba. Two nests 

 have been discovered in Massachusetts. The bird winters from 

 southern New England southward. 



The song, which is loud and sweet, is familiar in the district 

 where the birds build, for they sing all day long, and are often 

 heard during the night. It lias been mterpretcd J>ed-ped-ped^Oify- 

 pedbody-pedbody ; hence the name. 



