BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 263 



sometimes almost constitutes a flock. Thus on November 21st, 1903, I saw 

 four on Ipswich Beach within the space of a square yard, and on another part 

 of the beach, si.x scattered birds within twenty yards of me. On December 

 6th, 1903, I noted some nine Ipswich Sparrows on the beach all within the 

 space of a few yards. 



In flying, Ipswich Sparrows emit sharp tsips like the notes of the Savanna 

 Sparrow. I have not yet been so fortunate as to hear them sing, but Dwight 

 describes the song as like that of the Savanna Sparrow, but " more polished and 

 tuneful " and "keyed a little lower and finished up with more of a trill." 



The Ipswich Sparrow, once known, is easily recognized. It is considerably 

 larger and with a proportionately longer tail than its near relative the Savanna 

 Sparrow, from which it differs also in its lighter, sandy gray color, the Savanna 

 Sparrow appearing much darker in contrast. These differences are easily 

 noticed in October and early April when the opportunity is sometimes given 

 to compare the two birds side by side in life. The pale sandy color of the 

 Ipswich Sparrow is particularly noticeable when the bird is seen on the marsh 

 or away from sandy surroundings, but even on the sand one at once notices its 

 light color. In the spring, the yellow line above the eye is prominent in both 

 se.xes, and this is also to be seen, although less marked, in fall and winter in some 

 adults. The tarsi are a pinkish straw-color, and the large dark spot on the mid- 

 breast where several smaller spots come together is noticeable. 



222 [s42a] Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (VVils.). 

 Savanna Sparrow. 



Abundant summer resident (winter) ; March 26 to November 12 (Decem- 

 ber 6, January 11). 



Eggs: May 26 to June 20. 



The two unusual winter records are for December 6th, 1879, noted by J. 

 A. Jeffries at Marblehead, and for January i8th, 1902, one taken by L. A. Shaw 

 and R. H. Howe, ]r.} back of Ipswich Beach. It had previously been recorded 

 in winter elsewhere in the State, once at Sandwich and once at Longmeadow. 



The Savanna Sparrow is an abundant summer resident among the sand dunes, 

 on the borders of the salt marshes, and among the adjoining grassy fields in all 

 of which places it builds its nest. A nest found at Ipswich, May 30, 1904, is 



I R. H. Howe, Jr. : Auk, vol. 19, p. 203,°igo2. 



