170 



Nesting. In grass on ground in nest of grasses, rootlets, and hairs, finer grasses 

 within. 



Distribution. Distributed, as a species, over all of temperate North America. Breed- 

 ing wherever found in Canada. 



SUBSPECIES. Though eastern and western subspecies of the Vesper Sparrow 

 are recognized, onlj- the Eastern Vesper Sparrow, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



The Vesper Sparrow is comparable with the Song Sparrow in its 

 habits, song, and general appearance. It is less a bird of the brush, however, 

 and usually frequents the edges of fields, or where there is slight cover as 

 in the vicinity of ditches or roads. Its song is similar to that of the Song 

 Sparrow, but can be readily distinguished from it by the educated ear. 



Economic Status This is one of the most beneficial of the Sparrows. 

 It feeds farther afield than most of the common summer Sparrows and 

 takes a greater percentage of insects than they, and large quantities of 

 weed seeds. Some grain is found in its stomach, but under circumstances 

 that point to its being waste from the stubble or roadways. The Vesper 

 Sparrow, therefore, should receive every possible protection. 



541. Ipswich Sparrow. Passercultis princeps. L, 6-25. Like a large and very 

 pale Savannah Sparrow (see next species). 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Savannah Sparrow by larger size, and light 

 coloration; in autumn also, by an almost complete lack of yellow on the bend of the wing 

 and in front of the eye. Distinguished from the Vesper Sparrow by hght coloration, 

 lack of red on shoulders, and, in sprmg, by yellow on the bend of the wing and in front 

 of the eye. Distinguished from the Song Sparrow by its lighter colour and, in spring, 

 by the yellow as above. 



Field Marks. A very pale sparrow about the size of a Vesper Sparrow. 



This bird has a limited and isolated distribution. Its only known 

 breeding place is Sable island, about 60 miles south of Cape Breton. In 

 winter it migrates down the Atlantic coast never wandering far inland. 

 It is of small economic importance. 



542. Savannah Sparrow, fr. — le pinson des pres. Passercuhis sandivichensis. 

 L. 5-68. A rather small sparrow striped above with brown, ashy, and intermediate shades. 

 Below, white with sharp brown streaks on the breast, flanks, and in some cases on the 

 throat. Yellow on the bend of the wing and a spot in front of the eye. Autumn birds 

 are generally overwashed with buffy and the markings are softer and more diffused. 



Distinctions. The Savannah Sparrow can be distinguished from the Song Sparrow by 

 the yeUow spots in front of the eye and on the bend of the wing and by the lack of the 

 aggregated streaks which form a spot in the middle of the breast of the Song Sparrow. From 

 other allied sparrows of the Grasshopper and Passerherbulus groups it can be told by the 

 sharply defined streaks on white ground beneath. 



Field Marks. The Savannah Sparrow can be recognized in the field by the yellow line 

 over the eye and by its notes. Its song is a fine, insect-Uke tsip-tsip-you-re-e-e-e-e-e-you, the 

 first notes often too faint to be heard and the whole with a peculiar far-carrying intensity 

 and high pitch that leaves one in doubt whether it is close at hand or very far away. It 

 resembles a similar song of the Grasshopper Sparrow, but the latter omits the final note. 



Nesting. On ground, in nest of grasses lined with finer material. 



Distribution. America, north to the Arctic coast. The Eastern Savannah Sparrow 

 P. s. savanna occupies eastern North America west to the prairies, when it is displaced by a 

 western form. 



SUBSPECIES. Our form, the Eastern Savannah Sparrow, P. s. savanna, is a 

 subspecies of which the type form occurs in the Aleutian islands. There are several other 

 geographical races but the differences between them are too slight for popular recognition. 



A bird of damp meadows and waste land, where the grass grows in 

 rank and coarse bunches and water lies close to the surface; or of sandy 



