218 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



is laid in New Hampshire about the first of June, a second 

 often coming later. The eggs average -85 X '65 of an inch, 

 and are grayish-white, finely marked and clouded with a dark 

 brown. Paler types also exist, resembling some eggs of the 

 Song Sparrow. 



(c). The White-throated Sparrow is one of the largest, hand- 

 somest, and most charmingly musical, of all the New England 

 sparrows. 71 These birds habitually pass the winter in that 

 country which is so often indefinitely referred to as " the 

 South ;" and I have heard of but one supposed instance of 

 their remaining in Massachusetts throughout the winter, which 

 instance came to my notice (from an insufficient authority) in 

 the year 1874, when another specimen was reported from a 

 town near Boston, in the latter part of July. The White- 

 throated Sparrows usually come to that neighborhood, when 

 on their way to their summer-homes, about the twentieth of 

 April or a few days later, but in severe seasons not until May. 

 During their stay here, which is commonty of between one and 

 three weeks' duration, they spend their time in stubble-fields, 

 roadsides, cultivated estates, and like places (also rarely in 

 swamps) ; associating somewhat with other finches, particu- 

 larly with those who are migrating at the same time ; generally 



71 Since I have begun this article with the use of the singular number, I will 

 here quote an explanation of why, in ornithological writings, it has been objected 

 to, in reference to birds. "It necessitates the general use of either the pronoun 

 she (which is not customary, except in sometimes speaking of a bird of prey), or 

 the pronoun he (which hardly generalizes to a sufficient extent one's remarks when 

 applied to a species, and which sometimes causes an unintentional apparent dis- 

 tinction between the male and female or their habits), or the pronoun it, which is 

 the worst of all. For to speak of animated birds as its and whiches, to any one 

 who has studied them and regards them as friends, is as unpleasant as it would 

 be to hear an acquaintance referred to by the neuter. By the use of the singular 

 better expressions can sometimes be formed than by that of the plural, and the 

 use of the pronouns he and she is sometimes effective or necessary, but, in general, 

 the plural is preferable for obvious reasons. The folloAving exaggerated examples 

 require no explanation. ' The Crow is black. He builds his nest in pines, and Jays 

 four eggs in May.' 'The Robin is a common bird, and she is well known.' 'The 

 Goldfinch, which is abundant here, is resident throughout the year. It sings in 

 May, and lays its eggs in June, etc.' Though strictly incorrect, it is allowable by 

 custom even to say : ' they lay their eggs in June,' but the phu-al sometimes is 

 certainly undesirable." 



