272 FRINGILLIDyE : FINCHES. 



BREWER'S SPARROW. 



Spizella breweri Cass. 



Chars. Similar to 6". pallida (a Western species of the genus) ; the 

 coloration paler and duller, the markings less distinct; streaks of 

 the crown and back small, numerous, not separated by a nuchal 

 interval, and no definite markings on the side of the head. 



This is a Western species, admitted to the list with 

 some doubt ; but a specimen of a small Sparrow, ap- 

 parently S. brczvcri, was taken at Watertown, Mass., 

 Dec. 15, 1873. (See Brcwstc?-, Am. Nat., viii, 1874, 

 p. 366; Brewer, Pr. Best. Soc, xvii, 1875, P- 44^5 

 Allen J Bull. Essex Inst., x, 1878, p. 17.) The occur- 

 rence of such a bird is of course entirely accidental. 



WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



ZONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS {Gm.) Bj). 



Chars. Adult inale : Crown black, divided by a median white stripe. 

 A yellow line from bill to eye, thence a white stripe over eye to 

 hind head; below this a black stripe through eye; below this 

 again a black stripe bounding the definitely pure white throat, 

 wliich contrasts strongly with the dark ash of the breast and 

 sides of the head. Bend of wing yellow. Middle of back streaked 

 with black, chestnut and fulvous white ; rump ashy, without mark- 

 ings. Wings with two white cross-bars, and much bay edging 

 of the coverts and under quills. Under parts white, washed with 

 brownish on the sides, shading into the ash of the foreparts. 

 Female, and immature male : Black of the head replaced by 

 brown, the white throat less conspicuously contrasted with the 

 duller and more brownish ash of the breast, the breast and sides 

 often with obscure streaks; but the yellow on the lore and edge 

 of the wing is probably always evident, and will serve for the 

 recognition of the species in connection with the large size and 

 other characters. Length, 6.50-7.00 ; extent about 9.00;/ wing, 

 3.00 ; tail nearly or about the same. 



