Part 16

Nest.—Of fine grasses, placed on the ground in open prairies or along the edges of cultivated fields, often being concealed beside a tussock; their four or five eggs are clay color marked with reddish brown and lavender (.75 × .55).

Range.—Breeds in the Great Plains from Kansas and Colorado north to Manitoba; winters south to Mexico.

M’COWN LONGSPUR 539. Rhynchophanes mccownii. 6 inches

Male with a black crown and patch on breast, and chestnut shoulders; female, and male in winter, dull colored with all bright markings obscured by brownish gray.

These are also common birds on the plains of middle U. S., but perhaps not so much so as the last species, with which species they are often found breeding. These finches show their close relationship to the famous Skylark of Europe by frequently indulging in the same practice of soaring aloft and descending on set wings, rapturously uttering their sweet song.

Song.—A shrill, twittering warble; call, a musical chirp.

Nest.—A neat cup of grasses in a hollow in the ground on prairies or in fields. Their four to six eggs are dull whitish clouded with brownish, the marking not being as distinct as in those of the last species (.75 × .55).

Range.—Breeds on the Great Plains from Kansas north to Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico.

ENGLISH SPARROW *** Passer domesticus. 6¼ inches

These street urchins were introduced into our country from Europe about 1850, and have since multiplied and spread out so that they now are found in all parts of our land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Heretofore they have confined themselves chiefly in the immediate vicinity of the larger cities and towns, but it is now noted with alarm that they are apparently spreading out into the surrounding country. They are very hardy creatures, able to stand our most rigorous winters. They are fighters and bullies from the time they leave the egg, and few of our native birds will attempt to live in the neighborhood with them.

Notes.—A harsh, discordant sound, which they commence early in the morning and continue until night.

Nest.—Of straw and rubbish piled behind blinds, in the tops of electric lights or crevices of buildings, and sometimes large, unsightly heaps of straw in trees. They raise three or four broods a year and in all seasons; five to seven whitish eggs scratched with black.

Range.—Whole of U. S. and southern Canada.

VESPER SPARROW 540. Poœcetes gramineus. 6 inches

The chestnut shoulders and white outer tail feathers distinguish this from any other of our Sparrows.

The name Vesper Sparrow is given this bird because of its habit of tuning up along toward evening; it is perhaps more often known as the “Bay-winged Sparrow” or “Grass Finch.”

They are found chiefly in dry pastures or along dusty roadsides, where they start from the ground in front of us, their white tail feathers showing prominently as they fly, so that there will be no mistake as to their identity.

Song.—A clear, ascending series of whistles, given from a fence post or bush top; call, a sharp chirp.

Nest.—Of grasses in weedy fields or pastures; four or five whitish eggs marked and blotched with brownish (.80 × .60).

Range.—Eastern N. A. from Virginia to southern Canada; winters in southern U. S. The similar Western Vesper Sparrow (confinis) is found from the Plains to the Pacific coast ranges.

IPSWICH SPARROW 541. Passerculus princeps. 6¼ inches

This species is larger and paler colored, but very similar to the more common and better known Savannah Sparrow. Its habits are the same. It breeds on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, and winters along the Atlantic coast to Virginia.

SAVANNAH SPARROW 542a. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. 5½ inches

Breast and sides streaked with brownish, and yellow before the eye and also on bend of wing.

These finches are very abundant in eastern U. S. during migrations and a few remain in the northern parts through the summer.

Song.—A weak trill or twitter; a short chip.

Nest.—Of grasses in hollows in the ground and concealed by grass or weeds. The four grayish eggs are spotted with brown (.75 × .55).

Range.—Winters in southern U. S.; breeds from northern U. S. northward. 542b. Western Savannah Sparrow (alaudinus) is found from the Plains west to the coast ranges. It is slightly paler.