CHURCHILL SAVANNAH SPARROW 697 



(Wood, 1951). In Luce County, in the Upper Peninsula, nests with 

 eggs were found from May 18 to August 1. 



In Minnesota, Roberts (1936) states of the Savannah sparrow, 

 which he lists as savanna: "In the heavily timbered northern portion 

 of the state it is confined to meadows adjoining lakes and marshy 

 land and to old grass grown clearings. It is especially abundant on 

 the western prairies, where it inhabits not only the lowlands but also 

 upland thickets * * *." 



Most of the nest and egg records Roberts cites are in June, with 

 clutch size usually either four or five. He describes the nest as being 

 "on the ground, well concealed in thick grass in a meadow, field, or on 

 low prairie; built of grasses, lined with finer grasses, and a few hairs 

 if available." The three to five eggs are grayish-white and speckled 

 with reddish-brown, and the incubation period is 12 days. 



Plumages. — Peters and Griscom (1938) in their original description 

 of ohlitus say: 



A medium sized gray Savannah Sparrow with relatively stout bill, its depth 

 more than half the length of the culmen. Similar to P. s. savanna and of about 

 the same size, but grayer throughout; the brown and buff elements reduced or 

 lacking: similar also to P. s. labradorius in the depth and extent of the streaking 

 of the under-parts and development of black areas above, but browns much paler 

 and reduced in area, often lacking; reddish wing edges much paler. In spring 

 plumage recalling P. s. nevadensis in gray, black, and white coloration above, but 

 with black areas more e-xtensive, streaking below much heavier, and yellow 

 superciliary brighter and more extensive. 



In autumn most nearly resembling P. s. labradorius, but blacker, less brownish; 

 distinguishable at a glance from P. s. savanna by almost complete absence of 

 reddish brown; the color which predominates in the Atlantic slope bird at that 

 season. P. s. nevadensis in fall is paler and grayer than oblitus, and is always 

 readily separable by its slenderer bill. * * * 



As would naturally be expected, oblitus intergrades with nevadensis where the 

 two forms meet. On the area of intergradation we find two types of intergrades; 

 thick-billed birds with the paler coloration of nevadensis and slender billed birds 

 like oblitus in color.* * * 



Norris and Hight (1957) provide us with a more succinct description: 

 "Dorsal surface: dark to very dark, black and gray; feathers with 

 extensive black markings and light gray edgings. Sides of head: 

 relatively dark, especially in auricular region, with brown and buff 

 elements lacking; loral region usually bright yellow. Ventral streaks: 

 heavy, usually deep brownish black or black. Greater secondary 

 coverts: medium or relatively light brown or grayish brown." 



Winter. — The 1957 A.O.U. Check-List states that oblitus winters 

 from northern Oklahoma, northern Mississippi, and northern Georgia 

 south to Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, southern Texas, southern Louisiana, 

 southern Mississippi, and southern Georgia; casual in Virginia and 

 North Carolina. 



