THE WESTERN LARK SPARROW. 



103 



hohiiul : upper parts huffish gray hrt)\vn, clearest on sides of neck, streaked by 

 blackish brown centers of feathers on middle back and scapulars, persisting as 

 edging on the fuscous wings and tail : tail-feathers, except middle pair, broadly 

 tipped with white ; below white, purest on throat and belly, ^vashed with grayish 

 buff on sides and crissum, also obscurely across fore-breast, in which is situated 

 a central black spot. Length 6.25 (158.8); wing 3.35 (85); tail 2.68 (68); 

 bill .47 ( 12) ; tarsus .80 (20.3). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size; head variegated black, white, and chest- 

 fan-sha]>ed tail brnadl}- tipiK'd with white and conspicuous in flight 



nut ; 



( thus 



WESTERN L.\RK SP.\RRO\V. 



easily distinguished from the Western Vesper Sparrow with square tail and lateral 

 white feathers). 



Nesting. — Nest: of grasses, lined with finer grass, rootlets and occasionally 

 horse-hair, on the ground or, rarely, in low bushes or trees. Eggs: 5, white, 

 pinkish or bluish white, spotted and scrawled in zigzags and scrolls with dark 



