332 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



its song as a ' 'short, weak succession of notes, somewhat simihir to 

 those of alaiidiuys." 



542b. A. s. alaudinus {Bonap.). Western Savanna Sparrow. 



Similar to sandwichensis. but smaller and averaging g-rayer, superciliary 

 stripe often white. Male : length (skins) 4.50-.5..58. wing 2..~>6-o.06, tail 

 1.8U-2.25, bill .o8-.43. Female: length (skins) 4.50-5.20. wing 2.56-2.87, 

 tail 1.7()-2.10, bill .38-.45. 



Distribution. — Breeds from the Plains to the Pacific coast, and from the 

 arctic coast to southern end of Mexican tablelands ; in winter south to 

 highlands of Guatemala. 



Among the many inconspicuous, plain, little striped-backed spar- 

 rows of the western United States, alaudinus is one of the common- 

 est, plainest, and most inconspicuous. Anywhere in the meadows, 

 prairie grass, or weed patches, one may dart out from under your 

 feet, zigzag over the grass-tops for a little way, and drop into the 

 grass, hopelessly lost until he is again forced to take wing. At a 

 distance you see and hear the birds giving their plain little song 

 from the top of a tall weed or fence stake, but on nearer approach 

 they drop into the grass and are lost. While really abundant they 

 often escape notice until you tramp ' cross lots ' through the meadows. 



Vernon Bailey. 



542c. A. s. bryanti Bidgw. Bryant Marsh Sparrow. 



Like sandivichensis, but darker and browner, with under parts more 

 heavily streaked with black, and in winter plumage, chest, and sides 

 strongly tinged with brownish buff. Male : length (skins) 4.-53-5.00, wing 

 2.51-2.80. tail 1.74-2.00. bill .40-.45. Female: length (skins) 440-4.65, 

 wing 2.47-2.60, tail 1.70-1.92. bill .40-.43. 



Distribution. — Breeds in salt marshes about San Francisco Bay ; south 

 in winter along the coast to southern California ; occasional in winter in 

 Valley of Mexico. 



543. Ammodramus beldingi Bidgw. Belding Marsh Spar- 

 row. 



Adults. — Median crown stripe and superciliary usually very indistinct 

 or wanting ; ground color of upper parts olivaceous, streaked with black 

 very broadly on back ; lower parts thickly and broadly streaked with 

 black ; fore part of superciliary stripe olivaceous yellow ; under tail coverts 

 with concealed streaks. Young : similar, but upper parts with more huffy ; 

 dusky streaks of low^er parts less sharply defined, and superciliary finely 

 streaked and usually without vellow^ Male : length (skins) 4,.54-5.50. 

 wing 2.52-2.82, tail 1.85-2.00, bill .41-.50. Female: length (skins) 4.3-5- 

 5.50, wing 2.40-2.66, tail 1.67-1.83, bill .40-45. 



Bemarks. — The Belding sparrow may be distinguished from the sand- 

 wichensis group by the absence of distinct superciliary and crown stripes, 

 and darker general coloration. 



Distribution. — Salt marshes along coast of southern and Lower Califor- 

 nia from Santa Barbara to San Quentin Bay and Todos Santos Island. 



Nest. — In salt grass about (] inches from the ground ; made of straws 

 and horsehair or feathei's. Eggs : usually 3, light blue, irregularly marked 

 with lilac and reddish brown at larger end or over entire surface. 



