FAMILY FringillidcE 



Mexico, and from the eastern edge of the 

 Great Plains to the Pacific Coast. Breeding 

 nearly throughout its range. Wintering in 

 the valleys of the entire west and south 

 through Mexico to Guatemala. 



The savanna sparrow, meadow sparrow, or 

 ground sparrow, keeps close to cover in weedy 

 old fields, brush-grown pastures and in the 

 grass-grown and vine-covered fence rows 

 along country roads in company with the 

 vesper sparrow^s. Although it may be seen 

 at times perched on fence or bush it is usually 

 found on the ground skulking along in the 

 grass like a mouse, and it is flushed with 

 difficulty. When it flies it goes in a halting 

 zigzag manner for a few yards, to drop into 

 the grass and hide itself as before. 



Sometimes it may be seen running along in 

 the bottom of a furrow in a grain field searching 

 for tiny insects or weed seeds, then it will perch 

 on an upturned clod and sing a weak little song, 

 a tune just the reverse of that of the vesper spar- 

 row. The nest is placed on the ground in grain 

 field or pasture well hidden in the grass. 



^ Western chipping sparrow, Spizella 



passerina arizoiice. 5.00 



Distribution: Western North America in 



general from the Rocky Mountains to the 



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