332 FIXCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



its song as a "short, weak succession of notes, somewhat similar to 

 those of 



542b. A. s. alaudinus (Bonap.). WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW. 



Similar to sandwickensis, but smaller and averaging' grayer, superciliary 

 stripe often white. Male : length (skins) 4.50-5.58. wing 2.50-3.06, tail 

 1.80-2.25, bill .3S-.43. Female: lengtli (skins) 4.50-5.20. wing 2.56-2.87, 

 tail 1.7(>-10, bill .3S-.45. 



Distribution. Breeds from the Plains to the Pacific coast, and from the 

 arctic coast to southern end of Mexican tablelands ; in winter south to 

 highlands of Guatemala. 



Among the many inconspicuous, plain, little striped-backed spar- 

 rows of the western United States, <tlilinu.8 is one of the common- 

 est, plainest, and most inconspicuous. Anywhere in the meadows, 

 prairie grass, or weed patches, one may dart out from under your 

 feet, zigzag over the grass-tops for a little way, and drop into the 

 grass, hopelessly lost until he is again forced to take wing. At a 

 distance you see and hear the birds giving their plain little song 

 from the top of a tall weed or fence stake, but on nearer approach 

 they drop into the grass and are lost. While really abundant they 

 often escape notice until you tramp ' cross lots' through the meadows. 



YEKXON BAILEY. 



542c. A. s. bryanti Eidgw. BRYANT MARSH SPARROW. 



Like sandicichensis, but darker and browner, with under parts more 

 heavily streaked with black, and in winter plumage, chest, and sides 

 strongly tinged with brownish buff. Male : length (skins) 4.53-5.00, wing 

 2.51-2.80. tail 1.74-2.00, bill .40-.45. Female: length (skins) 440-4.65, 

 wing 2.47 -2.69, tail 1.70-1.U2. bill .40-43. 



Distribution. Breeds in salt marshes about San Francisco Bay ; south 

 in winter along the coast to southern California ; occasional in winter in 

 Valley of Mexico. 



543. Ammodramus beldingi Eidgw. BELDINU MARSH SPAR- 

 ROW. 



Adults. Median crown stripe and superciliary usually very indistinct 

 or wanting ; ground color of upper parts olivaceous, streaked with black 

 very broadly on back ; lower parts thickly and broadly streaked with 

 black ; fore part of superciliary stripe olivaceous yellow ; umtt-r tail coverts 

 with concealed stnuk*. Young : similar, but upper parts with more huffy; 

 dusky streaks of lower parts less sharply defined, and superciliary finely 

 streaked and usually without yellow. M^a/t : length (skins) 4.54-5.50. 

 wing 2.52-2.S2. tail 1.85-2.00, hill .41-.50. Female: length (skins) 4.35- 

 5.50, wing 2.40-2.66, tail 1.67-1.*... bill .40-.45. 



Eemarks. - - The Belding sparrow may be distinguished from the sand- 

 trirfn nsis group by tin 1 absence of distinct superciliary and crown stripes, 

 and darker general coloration. 



Distribution. Salt marshes along coast of southern and Lower Califor- 

 nia from Santa Barbara to San Qucntin Bay and Todos Santos Island. 



Nest. In salt grass about 6 inches from the ground ; made of straws 

 and horsehair or feathers. Eggs : usually 3. light blue, irregularly marked 

 with lilac and reddish brown at larger end or over entire surface. 



