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Nesting. On ground under dwarf birch, in nest of grass. Nest rarely discovered. 
Distribution. The prairie regions of America, north to the edges of the Barren lands. 
This bird may be more common in western Ontario near the Manitoba 
line than is supposed, but that is the only section in which the species 
may be looked for. One has been recorded from London, Ont., but this 
was, of course, accidental. 
554. White-crowned Sparrow. FR.—LE PINSON A COURONNE BLANCHE. Zono- 
trichia leucophrys. L, 6-88. Plate XXXI B. 
Distinctions. Only likely to be mistaken for the White-throated Sparrow, the next 
species, and can be distinguished from it in any plumage by the absence of the yellow spot 
in front of the eye and, in the adult form, by its nearly even grey throat instead of the 
strongly white throat of that species. 
Field Marks. The white crown and lack of white throat or yellow spot in front of the 
eye. In life, the back has a grey rather than a reddish cast. 
Nesting. On ground or in low bushes, in nest of grass and fine vegetable fibres, 
rootlets, etc. 
Distribution. North America from tree limit south. Our Eastern White-crowned, 
the type of the species, extends to the western prairie province, where its place is taken by a 
subspecies, Gambel’s Sparrow Z.i. gambeli. 
SUBSPECIES. Though three subspecies of this species are recognized in Canada, 
only one, the Eastern White-crown, the type form, occurs in the east. 
One of the most beautiful of the sparrows. Though it lacks gaudy 
colours, its sharply contrasting black and white crown and grey throat 
and neck give it distinction. Its song too is sweet, having much of the 
clear quality of that of its near relative, the White-throat, but unhappily 
it is usually heard at its best only in its northern breeding grounds. 
Economic Status. Though only within the bounds of cultivation for 
about two weeks in the spring and autumn it does good work while there. 
Weed seeds form a large part of its food, ragweed and grass seed being in 
large proportion. Insects form only a small part of its food. 
558. White-throated Sparrow. CANADA WHITE-THROAT. PEABODY-BIRD. FR.— 
LE PINSON A GORGE BLANCHE. Zonotrichia albicollis. LL, 6-74. Plate XXXII A. 
Distinctions. In adult plumage it is most likely to be taken for the White-crown 
previously mentioned, but its distinctly white throat and the yellow spot in front ofthe 
eye are distinctive. Young birds are apt to be mistaken for the Swamp Sparrow, but the 
yellow spot and redder coloration of the back will always separate them. 
Field Marks. The White throat, yellow lores, and reddish instead of greyish back will 
readily distinguish adults from White-crowns. Juveniles are rather more difficult to identify 
from several other species, but if neither the yellow loral spot nor the vague white throat 
sometimes suggested by the Swamp Sparrow are recognizable, the greater redness of the 
back will usually suffice for identification. 
Nesting. On ground or in low bushes; in nest of coarse grasses, rootlets, and moss 
lined with finer grass. 
Distribution. Eastern North America to near the tree limits on the north. Breeds 
everywhere it is found in Canada except in the most southern portions. 
This is the most famous songster of the northern woods. At its best 
the song is a clear, flute-like, slowly measured whistle which has been very 
well put into words. Hard-times-can-a-da-can-a-da-can-ada or Poor-Bill- 
Pea-bo-dy-Pea-bo-dy-Pea-bo-dy. The White-throat is a brush-wood bird; 
tangled thickets or brush piles in the vicinity of open ground are its 
favourite haunts. Throughout most of the cultivated sections of Canada 
the bird is a migrant only and its best song is rarely heard. In the 
autumn when the young birds fly south the notes are heard in a softened, 
shortened version. 
57172—124 
