OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 311 



abundant as to conceal .the whole egg, through 

 ■which the normal color is scarcely distinguishable. 

 They, measure .90 of an inch in length and .68 

 in breadth, 



Zonotrichia leucophrys, Swainson. 



The White-crowned Sparrow is always observed 

 within the limits of Philadelphia throughout the 

 winter in well-wooded and sheltered localities. 

 From the 20th of April to the middle of May it 

 congregates in flocks of a dozen or more. It 

 delights mainly in the borders of thickets, and 

 waste grounds. Whilst writing, May 4, vast num- 

 bers are daily observed within our gardens and 

 the adjoining fields. Wherever found, remarkable 

 tameness and lack of timidity characterize it. 



In open grounds this Sparrow is peculiarly gre- 

 garious, whereas in secluded situations a solitary 

 existence seems to be preferable. Much of its 

 time is spent on the ground in searching for food; 

 but when not thus occupied, it perches upon small 

 trees and shrubs, never visiting tall trees. It 

 associates with albicollis, but generally discards 

 the society of our smaller sparrows. Its resem- 

 blance to albicollis is so close, as to be clearly 

 undistinguishable at a short dist;p.nce. 



Its flight is low, undulating, and but slightly 

 sustained, except during its migratory trip. When 

 alarmed whilst feeding, it flies to a short distance 

 but -as quickly returns to the identical spot when 

 the danger has passed. In wooded regions, how- 



