ILLINOIS BACHMAN'S SPARROW 973 



interscapular region; the breast and sides are very distinctly ochra- 

 ceous-buff, these parts in aestivalis being buffy gi'ayish. The proportions 

 are much the same in the two species, but illinoensis has a longer wing 

 and thicker bill." Apparently, then, illinoensis is the most rufescent 

 of the three races of A. aestivalis. 



In its habits, haunts, nesting, food, and behavior, this race so 

 closely resembles its near relative to the eastward that, in general, 

 the account of that race applies equally well to this. A few notes of 

 interest in the literature, however, may be included here. 



The habitat of this race in south central Indiana, near the northern 

 limit of its breeding range, is similar to that favored by A. a. bachmani 

 in Ohio. Russell E. Mumford ^\Tites in a letter to Mr. Bent: "In 

 these haunts, pine-woods [= illinoensis] sparrows are nesting associ- 

 ates of the blue-winged and prairie warblers. At times, I have been 

 able to call up all three species by squeaking on the back of my 

 hand * * *. E^ndently, these three find their optimum nesting 

 requirements in the many similar areas present. On many of the old 

 fields, broom grass, locally called broomsedge, is present and forms a 

 considerable portion of the ground cover. Other ground cover is 

 likely to be dewberry, cinquefoil, aster, and similar plants." 



Near the southern limit of the range, the preference for pineland is 

 again similar to that of A. a. bachmani in the same latitude. Brooke 

 Meanley (1959) wTites from central Louisiana: 



Natural vegetation is predominantly Longleaf Pine with an interspersion of small 

 stands of hardwoods along drainage systems. * * * 



Forest management studies in progress in this area indicate that manipulation 

 of the habitat greatly favors Bachman's [= illinoensis] Sparrow. The cycle of clear 

 or partial cutting followed by direct seeding or planting provides, apparently, 

 optimum habitat. A scattering of seed pine trees, clumps of shrubs and brush 

 piles are left from these operations; these provide singing perches, escape cover 

 and appropriate sites for nesting. The opening of the forest and burning of the 

 ground cover results in an abundance and variety of foods, especially grasses and 

 legumes * * *. Selective cutting or thinning of overcrowded stands produces an 

 open park-like aspect approximating the optimum habitat of Bachman's Sparrow. 



The only mention that can be found in the literature on courtship 

 activity of any of the three races of A. aestivalis comes in a letter to 

 Mr. Bent from Val Nolan, of Bloomington, Ind.: "On May 6 I heard 

 for the first time a vocal performance that circtmistances suggest was 

 connected with courtship. At 4:00 p.m. a male (assumed) burst out 

 with a succession of ringing, bubbling notes in pattern and variety not 

 unlike those of the Indigo Bunting's typical song. These notes con- 

 tinued rapidly for 3 or 4 seconds, then abruptly switched to the usual 

 song of the subspecies; this concluded the effort. I did not see the 

 position of the male during this utterance, but a second or two after 



