i8 Bird -Lore 



new tertials, but the change to summer plumage is affected chiefly by wear and 

 fading. 



Grasshopper Sparrow (Fig. i). Small size, a short tail, the absence of 

 black streaks, the mellow above the eye (in the adult), and the quail-like appear- 

 ance of the plumage of the back, are the principal distinguishing marks of this 

 species. The sexes are alike. The nestling has the breast conspicuously streaked 

 and the upper parts paler than in the adult. This plumage, as Dr. Dwight has 

 shown, is worn until August, and, by a complete molt, which involves the wings 

 and tail as well as the body, is replaced by the winter plumage. This resembles 

 that of the adult but lacks the yellow mark above the eye, and is deeper and 

 richer than the adult summer plumage. The spring molt is limited chiefly to the 

 head, the young bird now acquiring the yellow superciliary mark. Fading and 

 wear further create the difference between the winter and breeding plumage. 



The Western Grasshopper Sparrow is a paler form with more chestnut and 

 less black above. 



Henslow's Sparrow (Figs. 2 and 3V This species may be known by the 

 buffy greenish markings of the head and neck (not buff enough in the plate) 

 rufous-chestnut, finely margined back, streaked breast and small size. The sexes 

 are alike. The winter plumages of both adults and young resemble each other and 

 differ from the summer plumage in being richer and more intense in tone. The 

 nestling (Fig. 3), reversing the condition which prevails with the Grasshopper 

 Sparrow, is wholly or almost unstreaked below. Material is lacking to follow 

 the molts of this species, which, however, probably resemble those of the Grass- 

 hopper Sparrow. 



The Western Henslow's Sparrow resembles the eastern race but is paler. 



Baird's Sparrow (Fig. 4). In the fresh fall plumage, shown in the plate, 

 the back of Baird's Sparrow has the rounded markings characteristic of the 

 Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows; but in worn, breeding plumage, when 

 the feathers are bordered only laterally, the back more closely resembles that of 

 the Savannah Sparrow. In either plumage, however, the bird may be known by 

 its buff head. The nestling is streaked below, but apparently resembles the adult 

 after the fall molt; material, however, is lacking from which to describe the molts 

 of this species, but the difference between winter and breeding plumage is ob- 

 viously occasioned chiefly by fading and wear. 



Leconte's Sparrow (Figs. 5 and 6). The long, slender tail, reddish nape 

 and buftV line over the eye, in connection with the streaks on the sides (and more 

 rarely on the center of the breast), are the principal distinguishing characters 

 of this species. The sexes are alike, and there are no marked seasonal changes 

 in plumage. The nestling (Fig. 6) has the nape bufi'y and the feathers of the upper 

 parts are widely bordered by this color. The change to winter plumage (which 

 is like that of the adults) is accomplished by molt of the entire body feathers and 

 at least the wing-coverts, but whether of the rest of the wing- and tail-feathers, 

 I am unable to say. The spring molt is confined to the head and breast. 



