WHITE-TimOATED SPARROW. 99 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of fifteen specimens. T.i'ngtli, G 35; stretch. 0-55; wing, 3'05; tail, 2'85; bill, '48; tarsus, '90. 

 Lou-:---! -]< i'urii. 7-:!.~>; irreate^t extent of win;;, 9-80; l.'U^i wing, 3'10; tail, 3'00; bill, '65; tarsus, '95. Shortest speci- 

 nieii. li-30; smallest extent of wing, 8'80; shortest wing, 2-82; tail, 2'60; bill, -50; tarsus, -81. 



DESCKIPTIOX OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



A'* NA. jilaeed on tlic ground. They are rather compart structures, composed of dried grasses and fine roots, lined with 

 l:oi-M' l.air ati'l :;r,i-s. Dimensions; external ilianieter, 4 - 00, internal, 2'75. External depth, 2'50, internal, T75. 



Eyys, I'nir or !'.v<- in number, oval in f.irin, bluish-white in color, spotted, blotched, and dotted with reddish-brown and 

 lilac. Dimensions, from '80 x '00 to "90 x '05. 



HABITS. 



The hammock edges in Florida are almost always occupied by birds of several spe- 

 cies. Prominent among them are the White-throated Sparrows but they are confined to 

 the Middle and Northern sections of the state. I did not find very many of them at Blue 

 Springs, and none south of this point. But they were abundant along the borders of the 

 extensive cotton plantations on the Sea Islands of the Carolinas and Georgia. While 

 there, however, they have no special habits by which they can readily be distinguished 

 from many other of the more arboreal, Fringilline birds; yet they never lose some pecu- 

 liarities by which the close observer can always identify them. The sharp chirp of alarm 

 that is given while the birds are in concealment, or while they peer cautiously out to watch 

 the intruder, is one of the chief characteristics which the White-throated Sparrows retain 

 at all seasons. 



While passing through the Middle and New England States, when on their north- 

 ward migration, they do not always frequent the wooded portions, but move in straggling 

 flocks along the hedges and fence rows of the more cultivated sections. The mild but in- 

 vigorating weather of early May apparently awakens a desire in the birds to sing, and 

 then they begin to practice the first notes of their fine melody. But it is not until later, 

 when they arrive in the evergreen forests which form their summer resorts, that the song 

 is heard at full length. 



Then in the early mornings of June when the purple mist hangs over the mountains, 

 where the delicate ferns which wave by the ever murmuring brooks are sparkling with dew 

 drops, when the freshly grown leaves of the overhanging foliage are showing their loveliest 

 green, the melodious strains of the White-throated Sparrows may be heard to perfection. 

 This lay consists of several sweet, prolonged whistles, and is somewhat plaintive, but very 

 pleasing. Not only do our little musicians perform through the cooler hours of the morn- 

 ing, but the sultry noon-time also finds them singing. They arc more silent when the sun 

 declines toward the West, but begin again in the cool of evening. Thus they are almost 

 untiring in their efforts through the day, and, as if not satisfied, will frequently burst in-' 

 to full song during the night. But when the rocky mountain tops arc gleaming in the 

 brilliant moon-light, and the silvery beams arc finding their way through the openings in 

 the shadowy forests, illuminating the little glades which form the homes of the Sparrows, 

 they are especially musical. Then when all else is silent, save the occasional melancholy 

 notes of the Whip-poor-will or the distant hoot of some Owl, the effect produced by this 

 incomparable song is surpassingly beautiful. 



