316 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Hab. — Eiisteni Province of North Aiueriua, breeding from the Northern 

 United States to Labrador and Hudson's Bay Territory. 



Nest, composed of tine witliered grass phiced in a deep cup-shaped hole 

 in the ground. 



Eggs, four to six, ground color grayish, lieavily clouded with chocolate- 

 Ijrown. 



These quiet, unobtrusive little sparrows may be seen and heard 

 in the moist meadows in spring and summer, but they are not very 

 plentiful anywhere. 



Towards the end of August they become abundant along the 

 marshy shores of Hamilton Ba}', where they evidently find food to 

 suit their taste, and they continue to enjoy it until reminded by 

 the cool nights in September that it is time to be off to the south. 

 The specimens secui'ed at this season are evidently northern-bred 

 birds, being more fully developed in size and markings than those 

 which breed with us. Often Avhen picking one up, I fancy I have 

 got the Ipswich Sparrow, but so far have not succeeded in doing .so. 

 I still think the latter species will be found near Hamilton, for there 

 are .several suitable resorts for it which will in future be carefully 

 watched at the proper season. 



The Savanna is chiefly an eastern species, going as far north as 

 Labrador and Hudson Ba}'. In the Noi-th-West, it is replaced by 

 the Western Savanna Sparrow, which differs from the present species 

 in having the pale gray colors peculiar to the bii-ds of the prairiess. 



SuBOKxus COTURNICULUS Bonaparte. 

 AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM PASSERTNUS (Wils.). 



■i-'^). Grasshopper Sparrow. (•^'+fi) 



Kdge of wing, cons))icuously yellow ; lessei- wing coverts and sliort line over 

 the eye, yellowish ; below, not or not evidently stieaked, hut fore parts and 

 sides buff, fading to dull white on tlie belly ; above, singularly variegated with 

 black, gray, yellowish-bi'own, and a peculiar purplish ))ay in short streaks and 

 specks, the crown being nearly black, with a sharp median l)rovvnish-yellow 

 line, the mirldle of the back chief!}' black, with bay and brownisii-yellow 

 etlgings of the featheis, the cervical region and luni)) chiefly gray, mixed with 

 bay ; wing coverts and inner quills, variegated like tiie l)ack ; feet, pale. 

 Younrj : — Similar, not so bufFy below, and Jwitii pectoral and maxillary dusky 

 spots. Length, 4|5:} ; wing, 2f, : tail, 2 or less, the outstretched feet reaching 

 to or beyond its end. 



