THE SOOTY SONG SPARROW. 145 



No. 58. 



SOOTY SONG SPARROW. 



A. O. U. No. 581 f. Melospiza melodia rufina (Bonap.). 



Description. — Similar to il/. iii. iiwrphiia but larger and with coloration 

 darker, more blended; general color of upperparts deep sooty brown or bister, 

 brightening on greater wing-coverts and tertials ; back obscurely streaked with 

 darker; median crown-stripe obsolete or at least indistinct; streaking of under- 

 parts dark brown. Length 6.50 (165) or over; wing 2.75 (70) ; tail 2.64 (67) ; 

 bill .48 (12.3); tarsus ,92 (23.5). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size: dark brown coloration; plumage of 

 upperparts blended, almost uniform. Requires careful distinction from PasscvcUa 

 but is smaller and variegation of head still traceable. 



Nesting. — As in preceding. Does not breed in Washington. 



General Range. — "Southern Alaska (islands and coast) ; north to Cross 

 Sound. Cilacier Bay, Lynn Canal, etc. ; south to north side of Dixon Entrance, 

 in winter to coast of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and northwestern 

 Washington (Olympic Mountains)" (Ridgway ). 



Range in Washington. — Winter resident in northwestern portion of State — 

 not common. 



Authorities. — M. cincrca rufina (Brandt), Ridgway, Birds of North and 

 Middle America, A^ol L p. 374. E. 

 Specimens. — Prov. E. 



THESE larger and darker birds reach our northern borders in winter 

 only, having retired thus far from their home in southern Alaska. Their 

 demeanor while with us is even more modest than that of the local Silver- 

 tongue ; and when one is stalking the dank woods of Whatcom County on 

 the qui z'iz'c for varieties, it requires a second glance to distinguish this Song 

 Sparrow, witli its softl}' blended plumage, from a winter Fox Sparrow. 



No. 59. 

 LINCOLN'S SPARROW. 



A. O. LT. No. 583. Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.). 



Synonyms. — Lincoln's Song Sparrow. Lincoln Finch. 



Description. — Adults: Above, much like M. mdodia uioutana, but crown 

 brighter rufous, and with more decided black markings ; back browner and more 

 broadly and smartly streaked with black ; the gray of back sometimes with a 

 bluish and sometimes with an olivaceous tinge ; below, throat and belly white, the 

 former never i|uite immaculate, but with small arrow-shaped black marks ; sides 



