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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
coast of Labrador. Though I found it plentiful in every locality which I 
visited, and in all situations, it seems particularly fond of deep thickly wooded 
and secluded ravines, surrounded by high precipitous cliffs ; and when in more 
open districts confines itself chiefly to the most tangled patches of juniper 
and scrubby fir. It is a very active and sprightly bird, almost continually in 
motion ; it seldom alights without jerking and flirting the tail, and rapidly 
uttering its loud chirping. While the female is incubating, the male has a 
habit of mounting to the top of the cliff or tree nearest his nest, and there re- 
peating his loud, somewhat monotonous, but not unpleasing notes for a half 
hour at a time. This song is very similar to that of the allied Z. albicollis, 
the common White-throated Sparrow, and consists of two long drawn syllables 
with a rising intonation, and then three more in a quick hurried manner, 
with a falling cadence ; “pee, dee, de-dS-de the whole a mellow whistle. 
Should the performer be observed or approached while thus engaged, he in- 
stantly becomes silent, and dives hastily into the nearest cover. 
The nest of the White-crowned Sparrow is always, I believe, placed on the 
ground ; and, oftener than elsewhere in the midst of the little patches of a low 
heath that grows abundantly wherever the ground is dry enough. It is com- 
posed externally of moss, internally of fine dried grasses, evenly disposed in a 
circular manner. The eggs are four or five, oftener the former. Nuttall,* 
when he states that “the eggs, four or five in number, are said to be of a 
dusky or chocolate color,’’ probably had reference to those of Anothus ludovi- 
cianus, which are much as be describes them. A nest of the White-crowned 
Sparrow, which I found on the 23d of July, contained four young, but a few 
days old. These, however, must have been rather late, as by the 1st of August 
there were many young birds to be seen. The female, when surprised on the 
nest, flatters off in silence, retiring but a short distance ; but the male, if he be 
near, instantly flies to the top of the nearest tree or bush, and there vociferates 
his angry remonstrances, flirting his tail and jerking his body in the most 
energetic manner. This species, though not so familiar as the Tit-lark, is still 
frequently seen about the houses ; and it is known to the natives simply as 
the “ Sparrow,” or oftener as the “ Chip-bird.” 
Junco hyemalis (L.) Sclater. — Snow-Bird. 
Niphcea hyemalis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 88 ; pi. 167. 
Janco hyemalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 468. 
The Snow-bird, so common and so well known in winter throughout the 
eastern portions of the United States, is not so abundant as might be expected 
in Labrador, one of its breeding regions. From the fact that I was not in a 
suitable locality, I did not observe it until the latter part of July, at which 
time it was in small companies, the old and young associating together. They 
kept entirely in the thick woods, and were rather timid. I heard no song, 
nor indeed any note except the easily recognized chirp peculiar to this species. 
Until within a few years the breeding places of the snow-bird were unknown, 
and its nidification involved in an obscurity remarkable for so common and 
familiar a bird. But it is now well ascertained to breed in the entire region 
around Hudson’s Bay, and southward in the mountainous regions of New 
York and Pennsylvania. 
Spizella monticola (Gm.) Baird. — Tree Sparrow. 
Emheriza canadensis, Aud. Birds Amer. iii. 83 ; pi. 166. 
Spizella monticola , Baird, Gen. Rep. 472. 
This little Sparrow is quite common in all wooded districts in Labrador. It 
is there a very tame and unsuspicious bird, showing no fear even when very 
[Aug. 
Manual of Ornithology, 1st ed. i., page . 479 
