BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 267 



Savanna Sparrow, which is very common in the same salt-marsh regions. The 

 latter bird is less shy, more apt to alight and remain in the open, appears darker 

 on the back, and as it flies, its broad, slightly forked tail is easily distinguished 

 from the sharp, pointed tail of candaciitus. A good look with the glasses, 

 or when one is near at hand, with the naked eye, will reveal the yellow stripes 

 over the eyes of the Savanna, and the gray ear coverts with buffy edgings of 

 the Sharp-tailed Sparrow. The habits of flying and running are very similar in 

 the two species, but are less mouse-like in the Savanna Sparrow. The juvenal- 

 plumaged Sharp-tails in their buffy streaked dress look like miniature young 

 Bobolinks. 



226 [549.1] Ammodramus nelsoni (Allen). 

 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



Rare transient visitor, especially in the spring ; September 25 to October 

 13- 



227 [549.1a] Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus (Dwight). 

 Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



Common transient visitor ; May 23 to June 1 1 ; September 3 to November 5. 



The Acadian can be easily distinguished from the resident Sharp-tailed 

 Sparrow by its slightly larger size and by its buffy and very faintly striped breast. 

 In general habits and song, it resembles exactly the resident bird. I have 

 heard it deliver its oozy song fifteen times in a minute by the watch. They were 

 so common and in such full song at so late a date as June nth, in 1903, that 

 I hoped they would stay and breed, but they were gone the next time I looked 

 for them a few days later. A male shot on June nth had fully enlarged 

 testicles. 



228 [550] Ammodramus maritimus (Wils.). 

 Seaside Sparrow. 



Accidental visitor from the south. 



