OF NEW ENGLAND. 217 



the species was almost unrecognizable by me from its notes." 

 The little Field Sparrows, however, are always charming sing- 

 ers, and no sounds are more refreshing, on a warm afternoon 

 of early summer, than those which they produce. 



XV. ZONOTRICHIA 



(A) ALBICOLLIS. White-throated Sparrow. "Peabody-bird." 

 11 White-throat." 



(A common migrant through Massachusetts, many breeding 

 in northern New England.) 



Fig. 9. White-throated Sparrow (). 



(a). 6-7 inches long. Crown, to just below the eyes, black, 

 with a median line and superciliary line white, the latter, how- 

 ever, bright yellow from the bill to the eye. Sides of the head, 

 ash, or warm gray ; breast and sides, lighter. Throat and belly, 

 white (the latter being separated from the ash of the head by 

 a narrow black maxillary line). Back, reddish-brown, black- 

 streaked, and feathers pale-edged. Rump and tail unmarked ; 

 latter of a vague grayish brown, former ashy-tinted. Wings 

 with two white bars, which are not prominent, and a yellow 

 edge. 9 with less pure and defined colors than the male. 



(6). The nest is built on or near the ground, in woodland, 

 or sometimes pastures, and generally resembles that of the 

 Snow-bird or Song Sparrow. The first set of four or five eggs 





