318 SINGING BIRDS. 
it pours forth a variety of pretty notes.” At the commence- 
ment of the pairing season the males are very pugnacious, 
fighting often on wing, and the conquering rival, repairing to 
the nearest bush, tunes his lively pipe in token of success. 
The Lark Finch is common along the Mississippi valley north to 
Iowa and southern Michigan. It has been taken occasionally in 
Manitoba and in Ontario, and a few examples have appeared in 
New England. It is said to be the finest songster of the North 
American Sparrows. 
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 
PEABODY BIRD. OLD-TOM-PEABODY. 
ZONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS. 
Cuar. Back straked, reddish brown, black and dull buff; sides of 
head, breast, and rump ashy; crown with median stripe of white bordered 
by stripes of black; stripes of yellow from bill to eyes; stripes of white 
over eyes; stripes of black through eyes; throat white, bordered by 
black ; belly white, the sides shaded with brown; wings with two white 
bars. Length 6% to 7 inches. 
Vest. In an old meadow or open woodland, or on the edge of a grove ; 
placed on the ground upon a cushion of moss; composed of grass, stems, 
roots, etc, lined with fine grass or roots, —sometimes with hair or 
feathers. 
Lggs. 4-5; pale greenish blue, thickly marked with several shades of 
reddish brown; 0.85 X 0.60. ‘ 
These large and handsome Sparrows are seen in this part of 
Massachusetts only as transient visitors at the approach of 
winter, or in spring about the first week in May. In the 
Middle and Southern States they pass the inclement season, 
and appear there as a numerous species. A flock has been 
observed in the State of New York in the month of January. 
In their hibernal resorts they are seen in bands, and show a 
predilection for thickets, swamps, small streams, and the bor- 
ders of ponds, where, among the tall and bleaching weeds, 
they continue to collect the seeds, and probably insect larve, 
which constitute their usual fare. While here they keep much 
on the ground, and seek out cool and shady situations, scratch- 
