LIST AND DESCRIPTION 115 
in disposition are these birds of city gutters that they crowd 
other birds out. They attempt to occupy every house made for 
Bluebirds and Wrens, seek to monopolize every bird bath and 
food box, and even tear up the lining of other birds’ nests and 
throw out their eggs. Their young are raised on insects but at 
all other times their food is chiefly grain. They are considered 
a pest but must not be confused with our native Sparrows, which 
are all beneficial. 
554. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys.) 
A medium sized Sparrow seen only in migration. White 
crown and white stripe over eyes separated by a black stripe 
reaching to bill. 
554a. GamMBEL’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambel.) 
A western species of No. 553 and very similar but for 
white stripes over eyes reaching to bill. In South Dakota only 
in migration. 
558. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis.) - 
A common migrant. Called the Peabody Bird and easily 
recognized by its white throat, black crown divided by a white 
stripe, and white stripe over the eye, yellowish at the front. 
559. Tree Sparrow (Spizella monticola monticola.) 
These are winter residents, and come to us in large num- 
bers. Loose flocks of them are seen wherever there are groves 
or bushes, and they are easily recognized by the dark spot in 
the center of a gray white breast. They are cheery birds, and 
ere they return north in spring they “tune up,” so that their com- 
bined call notes and songs amount almost to chorus singing. 
The Western Tree Sparrow No. 559a is no doubt the 
prevailing subspecies of western South Dakota. 
560. CuHrppinc Sparrow (Spizella passerina passerina.) 
A summer resident. This little gem, easily recognized by 
his small size, chestnut crown, distinct white stripe over eye, 
black line through eye, and black forehead, loves the trees about 
our homes. His song is a single trill—‘chip, chip, chip, chee- 
ee-ee,” 
