954 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



Nest, on ground, at base of small bush or clump of weeds; of dry 

 weed stalks, bark, grass, rootlets and hair. Eggs, 4 to 5; light blue or 

 bluish- white, dotted more or less with light and dark-brown; .84 by 

 .62. Usually two broods. 



The White-throated Sparrow precedes the last mentioned species 

 in both spring and fall migrations. While it remains in the southern 

 part of the State late in the fall, I have no account of its wintering 

 within our limits, though it may do so. Some winters it remains in 

 the vicinity of St. Louis (Cooke), and in Illinois as far north as Wa- 

 bash, Lawrence and Richland (Eidgway). 



Head of White-throated Sparrow. Natural size. 



We know it in Indiana as a very abundant migrant, generally in 

 flocks, in March, April and early May, and from September to No- 

 vember. It varies in the date of its arrival in the same locality, both 

 in spring and fall as much as a month. The earliest and latest dates 

 of its first arrival and Of its departure in spring at several localities are 

 given: Bicknell, arrived March 11, 1894, March 24, 1895; departed 

 May 1, 1895, May 16, 1897; Brookville, arrived March 13, 1884, April 

 25,1881; departed May 1, 1889, May 8, 1886; Lafayette, arrived March 

 6, 1894, April 13, 1895; Laporte, arrived March 7, 1894, April 12, 

 1896; departed May 1, 1896; Sedan, arrived April 13, 1894, April 27, 

 1893; departed May 4, 1889, May 10, 1896; Chicago, 111., arrived April 

 12, 1884, April 16, 1896; departed May 6, 1896, May 15, 1886; Peters- 

 burg, Mich., arrived April 24, 1889, May 5, 1888; departed May 5, 

 1889, May 20, 1888. They are to be found among thickets, brier 

 patches and brush piles, either in the open or among the densest 

 woods. From among the thickets and through the long forest aisles 

 their peculiar song comes to one's ear at the time of their vjernal visits. 

 In March, when they are present, their songs are seldom heard, but in 

 April, particularly toward the latter part, and in early May, one who 

 visits their haunts is greeted with both solos and choruses as the waves 

 of inspiration come to the inhabitants of the brush-piles with the 



