330 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



Nest. — On the ground, made of grass. Eggs : 3 to G, greenish or brown- 

 ish white, spotted, and often blotched, and streaked with reddish brown 

 and lavender. 



Ill the San Francisco Mountain country, Dr. Mearns says the west- 

 ern vesper sparrow is a common summer resident in the upper pines, 

 and was found breeding in the grassy openings up to 10,000 feet. 

 It is also common in the sagebrush districts, and in settled parts of 

 the west is commonly seen on roadside fences. It may be recognized 

 by its white outer tail feathers as it flies, or, as it sits on a post, by 

 its dull coloration and pale bay shoulder patches. 



When it flies to the ground it is lost in the dry grass or disappears 

 on bare ground, so perfectly do its dull streaks and mottlings blend 

 with the earth colors. 



In spring and early summer the vesper sparrow perches on a post 

 or tall weed and trolls over his sweet, simple song at regular inter- 

 vals for hours at a time. At its best, at sunset, the song has a rich, 

 serene melody. 



540b. P. g. afiBLnis Miller. Oregon Vesper Sparrow. 



Like conjinis., but smaller, bill more slender, coloration browner ; ground 

 color of upper parts buffy brown rather than grayish brown, and all the 

 light areas of the plumage, including under side of wings, suffused with 

 pinkish buff. Male: length (skins) 5.17-5.55, wing 2.90-3.15, tail 2.08- 

 2.38, bill .40-.45. Female : length (skins) 5.04-5.65, wing 2.85-3.00, tail 

 2.20-2.27, bill .40-.46. 



Distribution. — Breeds in California and western Oregon. 



GENUS AMMODRAMUS. 



General Characters. — Tail feathers narrow, the middle ones, at least, 

 pointed ; primaries exceeding secondaries by less than length of tarsus ; 

 middle toe with claw not shorter than tarsus. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



1. Tail rounded or graduated. 



2. Nape marked with rusty brown. 



3. Median crown stripe pale buffy ; back streaked with rusty and black. 



leconteii, p. 335. 

 3'. Median crown stripe slaty g-ray ; back streaked with chalky white. 



nelsoni, p. 335. 

 2'. Nape marked with olive. 



3. Back rusty brown streaked with black . occidentalis, p. 334. 

 3'. Back grayish olive streaked with chalky white and dusky. 



sennetti, p. 335. 

 1'. Tail emarginate. 



2. Hind toe little if any longer than inner toe ; wing exceeding tail by 

 decidedly more than length of tarsus ; tail feathers broader, less 

 sharp pointed. 

 3. Upper parts not distinctly streaked or spotted . rostratus, p. 333. 

 3'. Upper parts distinctly streaked or spotted. 



