173 



Nesting. On ground under dwarf birch, in nest of graas. Nest rarely discovered. 

 Disiributum. 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, tb. — le pinson A coubonnb 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 hfe, 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 hniit 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 vraiTB-THROAT. peabodt-bird. fb. — 

 LE PINSON A GORGE BLANCHE. Zonotrichia aTMcollis. L, 6-74. Plate XXXII A. 



Distinctions. In adult plumage it is most Ukely 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— 12J 



