WHITE-THEOATED SPARROW. 



558. Zonotrichia albicollis. 6^4 inches. 



In thick underbrush, we hear these birds scratching 

 about among the leaves; occasionally one of them will 

 hop up on a twig and give his clear peabody song, or, 

 hearing or seeing you, give a sharp chirp and dash out 

 of sight again. They are birds of the ground, always 

 busy and always happy. I think that without any ex- 

 ception, they are the handsomest of our Sparrows, 

 their colors are so rich and harmonize and blend to- 

 gether so well. 



Song. A high-pitched, very clear and sweet whistle 

 pea-bo-dy-bird. Call and note of alarm, a metallic 

 chirp. 



Nest. Usually on the ground on the borders of 

 woods or in swamps; of grass and leaves, similar to, 

 but larger, than that of the Song Sparrow. Four or 

 five eggs, pale greenish blue, thickly spotted with 

 brown (.85 x .63). 



Range. N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from 

 northern U. S. to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters 

 in the southern half of U. S. 



