BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
237 
Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.). 
White-throated Sparrow. 
Description {Plate 95). 
I Size about same as leucophrys. 
Male. —Two broad black stripes on crown divided by a narrow white line, a showy 
' yellow stripe , from bill to middle of eye, joins a white stripe which runs back to the 
occiput; throat patch white; edge of wing yellow. Upper parts mostly chestnut 
streaked with black ; two showy white wing bars ; sides of head, neck in front, and 
breast, ashy or pale lead color. The female is similar but duller. The young and 
most specimens taken in autumn have throat, breast, and sides, more or less streaked 
with dusky. In a large number of specimens before me I see a trace of yellow be- 
i tween the eyes and bill, as well as on edge of wing. These yellow markings and 
i the large size are sufficient to identify the species. 
Habitat. —Eastern North America, west to the plains, north to Labrador and the 
Fur Countries. Breeds in northern Michigan, northern New York and northern New 
England, and winters from the Middle States southward. 
This beautiful sparrow, one of our most common spring- and fall mi¬ 
grants, is found usually in small flocks about woods, apple orchards, 
gardens and shrubbery. In the spring, particularly in April, and the 
early part of May, the White-throats subsist largely, indeed chiefly, on 
the buds and blossoms of the apple, beech and maple trees. During 
their vernal migrations they may be observed, singly or in flocks, de¬ 
vouring the tender growth 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 dam¬ 
age 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. The 
White-throated Sparrow is not uncommon as a winter resident in several 
of the southern counties of Pennsylvania. 
Genus SPIZELLA Bonaparte. 
Spizella monticola (Gmel.). 
Tree Sparrow. 
Description (Plate 94 ). 
Length about 6 inches; extent about 9|; the long blackish tail feathers are edged 
with whitish ; maxilla dark brown ; mandible yellowish ; legs brown ; toes black¬ 
ish ; crown chestnut (in many specimens the crown feathers, especially in center, 
are bordered with grayish); broad whitish line over eye, and back of eye a chestnut 
streak ; above, especially middle of back, brownish with dark streaks and paler 
edgings ; lower parts whitish ; ashy throat and neck, and brownish on sides and 
flanks. No dusky streaks on lower parts, but a conspicuous dusky spot in middie 
of breast. 
