BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 191 



devouring the tender growths of beech trees, along the edges of woods^ 

 particularly those in the neighborhood of running streams. While it 

 is true that the buds and blossoms of apple, maple and some few other 

 trees are eaten, I am quite certain that their favorite articles of diet, 

 in the way of buds and blossoms, are those of the beech trees. The 

 damage which these birds do to apple or other fruit trees is so trifling 

 that the farmer or fruit grower should not be prejudiced against them. 

 This species feeds also on. various small seeds and different insects. 



GENUS SPIZEKLA. BONAPARTE. 

 559. Spizella monticola (GMEL.). 



Tree Sparrow. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Middle of back with the feathers dark-brown centrally, then rufous, and edged 

 with pale-fulvous (sometimes with whitish). Crown and upper part of nape con- 

 tinuous chestnut ; the crown feathers are sometimes bordered with gray; aline of 

 chestnut from behind the eye ; sides of head and neck ashy ; a broad light super- 

 ciliary band ; beneath whitish, with a small circular blqtch of brownish in the mid- 

 dle of the breast ; edges of tail feathers, primary quills and two bands across the 

 tips of the secondaries, white ; tertiaries nearly black ; edged externally with rufous, 

 turning to white near the tips ; upper bill dark brown, lower yellow ; legs and eyes 

 brown ; toes black. Length about 6 inches ; extent about 9 inches. 



Hab. Eastern North America, westward to the plains, and from the Arctic ocean 

 south ; in winter, to the Carolinas, Kentucky and eastern Kansas. Breeds north of 

 the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. 



This hardy Sparrow, the largest of the genus, is an abundant winter 

 resident from late in October to about the middle of April. We find 

 them in flocks, often in company with Snowbirds and other Sparrows, 

 frequenting briery thickets, shrubbery, old fields where various weeds 

 abound, and about hedge rows. Weedy spots near the edge of woods, 

 or similar situations in or near briery places along the borders of small 

 creeks are also favorite feeding grounds for them. The food of this 

 species during its stay with us, consists almost entirely of the seeds of 

 various weeds, grasses, etc.; cedar berries and wild grapes are also 

 sometimes fed upon. I have never known the Tree Sparrow to dis- 

 turb the buds or blossoms of any trees or bushes, as some writers as 

 sert, it is accustomed to do in the spring before migrating northward. 

 The name of Tree Sparrow is given, not because the bird is always 

 found in trees or bushes, but from its common habit of flying from the 

 ground or thickets into trees when disturbed. This bird not only fre- 

 quently nests on the ground, but likewise collects the greater portion 

 of its food from the earth. 



