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. GAMBEL'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 ihigrant. 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. CHIPPING 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." 



