The Migration of North American Sparrows 



rVVENTY-EIGHTH PAPER 

 Compiled by Prof. W. "W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey 



With drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes 

 (See Frontispiece) 



BACHMAN'S SPARROW 



Though technically considered a subspecies, Bachman's Sparrow {Peuccta 

 (tstivaUs bachmani) has a wider distribution and is better known than the type 

 species, the Pine- woods Sparrow (Peucaa cBstivalis astivalis). The latter is 

 only slightly migratory, breeding in a restricted area from southern Georgia 

 to central Florida, and wintering from the southern part of the breeding-grounds 

 to southern Florida. It is probable that the short migration journey is per- 

 formed in late February and early March, and by the end of this latter month 

 the species is settled in its summer home. 



Bachman's Sparrow is an example of a bird that is apparently extending 

 its range. Within recent years it has become common locally in southern 

 Virginia, and has increased around Washington, D. C, until it is now known 

 in four localities. It has invaded Ohio, even to the northern part of the state, 

 and also western Pennsylvania. The more northern breeding individuals are 

 strictly migratory, while from eastern Texas to northwestern Florida the birds 

 are present throughout the year. 



SPRING MIGRATION 



PLACE 



Number 

 of years' 

 record 



Average date of 

 spring arrival 



E&rliest date of 

 spring arrival 



Greensboro, Ala 



St. Mary's, Ga 



Savannah, Ga 



Atlanta, Ga. (near) 



Charleston, S. C 



Raleigh, N. C 



Weaverville, N. C 



Lynchburg, Va 



Washington, D. C 



Rockwood, Tenn. (near) 



Eubank, Ky 



Ink, Mo 



Mt. Carmel, 111 



Bicknell, Ind 



Bloomington, Ind 



Cincinnati, O 



Cedar Point, O 



Beaver, Pa 



March 14 

 March 13 

 March 14 

 April 16 

 April 13 



April 27 

 April 7 

 April 6 



March 25 

 April II 

 April 34 



Ffbruary 21, 1890 

 February 17, 1902 

 March 5, 1909 

 March la, 1906 

 February 25, 1885 

 March 19, 1887 

 March 38, 1890 

 April 7, 1 901 

 April 26, 1914 

 April 3, 1884 

 March 20, 1889 

 March 19, 1905 

 April 3, 1910 

 March 19, 1908 

 April 6, 1884 

 April 33, 1903 

 May 14, 1909 

 April 39, 1910 



The birds that winter as far south as central Florida leave, on the average, 

 March 13; latest March 26, 1887. Migrants appeared at Atlanta, Ga., Sep- 

 tember II, 1902; Savannah, Ga., September 16, 1906; Raleigh, N. C., Sep- 



(176) 



