CLAY-COLORED SPABROW 241 



rows are so consistent in their choice of a home 

 that it woi^cl be qnite useless to look for them 

 anywhere but in a marsh, and that a salt one, gen- 

 erally within sound or at least sight of the sea. 

 The baymen call them ' Meadow Chippies.' . . . 

 They pass much of their time on the ground 

 among the reeds and grasses, but mount a stalk 

 to sing their short, unattractive song of four or 

 five notes. Sometimes they flutter into the air a 

 few feet above the reeds and deliver their song 

 while on the w^ng. 



" The absence of distinct streaks on the breast, 

 and lack of rufous in their olivaceous or grayish 

 plumage, will distinguish them from the Sharp- 

 tailed, Swamp, Savanna, or Song Sparrows, the 

 only ones which are likely to be found in their 

 haunts." (Chapman.) 



Clay-colored Sparrow : Spizella pallida. 



Similar to the Chipping Sparrow, but grayish rather than red- 

 dish brown on back ; under parts white and buffy. Length, 

 5^ inches. 



Geographic Distribution. — Northern plains and prairies ; 

 breeds from northern Nebraska, central Iowa, and northern 

 Illinois northward ; winters from southern Texas southward. 



This little Sparrow of the plains is said to be 

 very much like the eastern Chipping Sparrow 

 both in song, habits, and familiarity. 



