276 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



been either a migrant on its way northward or a straggler from the Charles 

 River Marshes, distant less than a quarter of a mile to the south and east. 



Although I have no recent records of the local occurrence of any form of 

 the Sharp-tailed Sparrow, it is probable that both subvirgatus and nelsoni still 

 visit the Cambridge Region at their seasons of migration, and possible that true 

 caudacutus may also do so, at least casually. 



161. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.). 

 White-crowned Sparrow. 



Transient visitor in spring and autumn, usually rather rare but sometimes not uncommon. 



seasonal occurrence. 



May 9, 1880, one ad. malei taken, Belmont, H. M. Spelman. 



May 12 — 22. 

 May 23, 1892, one ad. female 2 taken, Belmont, W. Faxon. 



September 28, 1897, one seen, Arlington, W. Faxon. 



October i — 20. 

 November 5, 1898, one im. male' taken, Arlington, W. Faxon.* 



The White-crowned Sparrow occurs quite regularly during migration, but 

 seldom at all numerously. Indeed no single observer, however diligent, is likely 

 to meet with more than three or four of the beautiful birds in the course of any 

 one season. In May, 1900, however, they were really common, for several days 

 in succession, in and about Cambridge. 



Like its near relative the White-throated Sparrow, with which it sometimes 

 associates, the present species is fond of haunting thickets, preferring those 

 which border weed-grown, upland fields and retired country roads or lanes. I 

 have found it occasionally in the Fresh Pond Swamps and repeatedly in our gar- 

 den, while it has often been seen in the Botanic Garden. Although ordinarily 

 tame and confiding, it is easily startled and when thoroughly alarmed is difficult 

 to follow, for it displays remarkable adroitness at skulking in brush heaps and 

 along ivy-covered stone walls. In May we occasionally hear its low, plaintive 



1 No. 575, collection of H. M. Spelman. 



2 No. 44,461, collection of William Brewster. 

 ' No. 48,308, collection of William Brewster. 

 *R. Hoffmann, Auk, XVI, 1899, 196. 



